Parks and other public lands with T!
Western NY Parks➤
In September, I set out with a road trip buddy to visit some park units in upstate New York. For me, the highlight of this trip was visiting my 100th National Park Service unit. That puts me at Bronze status in the National Parks Traveler’s Club. After a few days visiting upstate NPS sites and Niagara Falls, we turned south for home. To break up the drive, we stopped at the Corning Museum of Glass.
Corning➤
Corning, NY, is known for its connection to the glass industry, its cultural attractions, and its picturesque downtown. It’s a city that combines a rich industrial heritage with a commitment to innovation and the arts. The main sites to see in town are the Corning Museum of Glass and the Rockwell Museum.
Museum of Glass➤
I’d taken my daughter to the Corning Museum of Glass twice when she was little. It’s one of my favorite museums. It strikes just the right balance between artistic and scientific exhibits, hands-on activities and live demonstrations. So when I saw that our return trip would take us past Corning, I knew we had to stop at the museum.
The Corning Museum of Glass is one of the world’s foremost institutions dedicated to the art, history, and science of glass. Corning Glass Works, now Corning Incorporated, founded the museum in 1951. Their vision was to preserve the history and promote the art and science of glass. Today, apprenticeship programs for students and emerging artists provide participants with hands-on experience and mentorship in various aspects of glassmaking and glass artistry.
We perused the exhibits, but spent most of our visit in the theater watching the live glass-blowing demonstration. Some of the apprentices staff the demos and provide goods for the fabulous gift shop. On a previous visit, we took a class in the glassmaking studio where my daughter created her own etched glass.
Western NY Road Trip➤
- Fillmore Glen State Park
- Harriet Tubman National Historical Park
- Seward House
- Women’s Rights National Historical Park
- Elizabeth Cady Stanton Home
- Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
- Niagara Falls: Terrapin
- Niagara Falls: Maid of the Mist
- Niagara Falls: Observation Tower
- Niagara Falls: Luna
- Niagara Falls: Trolley
- Niagara Falls: Gorge
- Corning Museum of Glass
Location: 1 Museum Way, Corning, NY
Designation: Museum
Date designated/established: 1951
Date of my visit: September 27, 2022
