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West Virginia Glass Trail: A Journey Through Living Artisan Tradition

From Blenko to Fenton, the state's glassmaking heritage continues to shine through new generations of artisans

Emma Price·March 5, 2026
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West Virginia Glass Trail: A Journey Through Living Artisan Tradition

West Virginia's glassmaking tradition stretches back over a century, and a new curated trail is helping visitors experience this luminous art form firsthand.

The Trail

The WV Glass Trail connects seven studios and factories where visitors can watch master glassblowers at work, try their hand at the craft, and purchase one-of-a-kind pieces.

Stops Along the Way

  • Blenko Glass Company in Milton — The iconic hand-blown glass maker
  • Appalachian Glass Studio in Charleston — A cooperative of emerging artists
  • Heritage Glass Works in Weston — Specializing in traditional Appalachian patterns

A Living Art

"Every piece we make carries the DNA of generations of WV glassmakers," says master artisan Robert Kline. "When someone takes one of our pieces home, they're taking a piece of West Virginia with them."

The trail map is available at any WV Welcome Center.