Two museums, both surrounded by the carefully groomed lawns and gardens of the Oglebay Resort and Conference Center, tell the story of the area once known as “the gateway to the west” from pioneer days to the early 20th century. The museums sit atop a hill overlooking Wheeling, West Virginia, a beautiful backdrop for this one-time estate.
The Mansion Museum, built in 1846 by Hanson Chapline, went through seven different owners before Earl W. Oglebay purchased it in 1900 and financed several extensive renovations and expansions. The current exhibit, “Dressing Wheeling from the Inside Out: 1840-1910,” features women’s fashions, from undergarments to accessories.
During the first weekend in April, the Mansion Museum hosts an annual Spring Antiques Show & Sale that benefits the museum’s collections. Nearby, the Glass Museum showcases the history of Wheeling as one of the largest glass producers in the country. The exhibits include the largest piece of cut lead crystal ever made — The Sweeney Punch Bowl — standing 5 feet tall and weighing 225 pounds.
For hands-on fun, venture to the recently annexed working glass studio where artisans provide live demonstrations for the public. Make a reservation to make your own paperweight in the studio, an experience that is guaranteed to give you a much better appreciation for what’s in the museum — and what it took to make the more than 3,000 glass items currently on display.