In spring of 2024, the Museum announced the retirement of two well-loved kilns, and shared an urgent need to replace them. Museum classes and outreach — offered across all age ranges and abilities — have been in high demand, often above capacity, with waitlists.
The purchase of two new kilns through our “Help Us Grow!” campaign was crucial to the Museum’s mission. And we’re thrilled to share that the community responded enthusiastically to our invitation! “Through 108 grants and donations, we raised $53,000 (over our goal of $50K) for this critical need. With the community’s tremendous generosity, Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass will have a bright future with new kilns to provide extraordinary glass experiences,“ comments Amy G. Moorefield, Executive Director.
Thanks to our generous supporters, our Glass Studio features two newly delivered, custom-made, ready to serve kilns, created by renowned Wisconsin glass artists Wes and Wesley Hunting of Hunting Studio Glass. “Thank you to the Huntings! These kilns will make a huge difference in the services that we are able to provide to our community,” says Kathy Brost, President of the Board.
This incredible team effort has been made possible by our wonderful advocates. Wes and Wesley Hunting of Hunting Studio Glass who custom-made these kilns and generously donated a significant time to the project. We are so grateful.
Matching gift support from the Community Vision Fund, Helen Hardt Family Fund, and Raymond and Betty Smith Charitable Fund II within the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region. Our thanks to the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation and their Community Impact Grant for their deep support. We also thank the many donors who helped make our kiln dreams a reality! Thank you for helping us grow!
For more information about…
- our monthly Art Activity Day, click here.
- our adult studio classes, click here.
- our “extraordinary experiences,” click here.
About Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass
Ranked in the top five glass museums in the country, Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass provides extraordinary glass experiences to spark fun, kindle creativity, and illuminate learning for all. Established in 1959, it has been an exclusively glass art museum since 2012, with four permanent collections: the world’s most representative collection of antique and contemporary glass paperweights, the Mahler collection of Germanic vessels dating from 1573, a collection of Victorian Era decorative glass baskets, and a significant collection of contemporary glass sculpture.
The museum is admission free and operates as a private, not for profit, 501(c)(3) organization, independent of the City of Neenah. Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass has the distinction of being accredited by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM). The honor of accreditation means the museum meets the rigorous standards of professionalism and best practices for museums set forth by AAM.
Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 10:00am–4:30pm
Thursdays 10:00am–8:00pm and Sunday 1:00–4:30pm
Admission: Free
Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass
165 North Park Avenue, Neenah, WI 54956
Telephone: 920-751-4658, Website: bmmglass.com, Social: @bmmglass
