The Dorflinger Factory Museum in Wayne County offers visitors an up-close look at the artistry and craftsmanship that once made Dorflinger glassware famous worldwide.
Located in the historic White Mills factory, the museum showcases the legacy of a company that supplied fine tableware to U.S. presidents, prestigious institutions, and private clients.
A visit here is both a step back in time and a celebration of American-made luxury glass.
Directions | Hours | Admission Fees
The Dorflinger Factory Museum is located at 670 Texas Palmyra Highway, Hawley, PA 18428.
The museum is open Wednesday – Saturday from 10 am – 5 pm and Sunday 1 pm – 5 pm.
Admission fees are $5 for adults and free for anyone 18 and under.
A Brief History of Dorflinger Glass
Christian Dorflinger, born March 16, 1828, in France, began his glassmaking apprenticeship under his uncle’s guidance at the age of ten.
After immigrating to America, he worked in glass factories before founding the Long Island Flint Glass Works in Brooklyn in 1853 and later the Greenpoint Glass Works, producing fine cut and engraved tableware.
In 1865, he established his renowned glass factory in White Mills, Pennsylvania, which supplied exquisite glassware to eight U.S. presidents, the Smithsonian, the U.S. Navy, and prominent private clients.
Dorflinger passed away on August 11, 1915, leaving behind a legacy of unmatched craftsmanship that endured for over half a century.
Following Christian Dorflinger’s death, the White Mills factory faced severe challenges, including the loss of its potash supply from Germany during World War I.
Coupled with declining orders for wine and table services due to Prohibition, these hardships led to the factory’s closure in 1921.
What You’ll See at the Dorflinger Factory Museum
Visitors to the Dorflinger Factory Museum will find beautifully lit exhibit halls filled with colorful cut glass pieces, each showcasing the precision and elegance for which Dorflinger glass was known.
One display features a White House table setting created for President Abraham Lincoln, complete with the presidential seal and intricate glassware.
Other exhibits highlight elaborate punch bowls, engraved vases, and custom sets designed for high-profile clients, including royalty and wealthy industrialists.
In the basement, the original steam engine that once powered the factory’s cutting and polishing equipment stands as a testament to the industrial ingenuity of the era.
A gallery of historic photographs provides a fascinating glimpse into the factory in operation, capturing rows of skilled workers and the bustling atmosphere of production.
Throughout the museum, visitors can also learn about the technical processes behind smoothing, polishing, and engraving the glass.
Interpretive signs and period tools help bring the manufacturing process to life, showing how raw talent and mechanical power combined to create world-class crystal.
From start to finish, the museum’s exhibits paint a vivid portrait of a business that blended artistry, technology, and prestige.
Final Thoughts
A trip to the Dorflinger Factory Museum is both an educational and visually captivating experience.
For anyone interested in American industrial history or the artistry of fine glassmaking, it’s a destination worth seeking out in the heart of Wayne County.
Related Attractions
The Dorflinger Glass Museum in Wayne County, housed in Christian Dorflinger’s former home, displays over 1,000 pieces of brilliant-cut glass just a mile from the Dorflinger Factory Museum.
The Duncan & Miller Glass Museum in Washington County showcases historic glassware, craftsmanship, and the legacy of the famed Pennsylvania glass company.
Nearby Attractions
The Stourbridge Line is a magnificent sightseeing train excursion that runs along the banks of the Lackawaxen River, between Honesdale and Hawley in Wayne County.
The Wayne County Historical Society Museum in Honesdale offers an engaging journey through the county’s people, industries, and innovations with its historic artifacts, interactive exhibits, and unique collections.
The D&H Canal Park in Wayne County is a 16-acre site where visitors can explore 19th-century canal history amid the natural beauty of the Lackawaxen River valley.
Irving Cliff is a fabulous roadside scenic overlook that sits high above Honesdale, the Wayne County seat.
Tanners Falls is a 20 foot-tall, multi tiered roadside waterfall, located on State Game Lands 159 in Wayne County.
Uncovering the Pennsylvania Roots of “Winter Wonderland” shows you the inspiration for one of the most beloved holiday songs of all time, Winter Wonderland, located in the heart of Honesdale.
Discover more than 1000 exceptional destinations worth exploring all across Pennsylvania with the interactive PA Bucket List Travel Map!
Did you enjoy this article?
If so, be sure to like and follow PA Bucket List on Facebook, Instagram, and/or Pinterest to learn more about the best things to see and do in Pennsylvania!
Click on any of the icons below to get connected to PA Bucket List on social media.
