Original Glasshouse, 1608

Original Glasshouse, 1608. . Glass was in demand in 17th-century England, and its manufacture required highly skilled craftsmen. In 1608, German glassmakers (referred to as Dutchmen by John Smith) arrived in the Second Supply and successfully completed a "tryle of glass" at James Fort. This success led to the construction of a glasshouse "neare a myle from James Towne," where there was plenty of sand for making glass and timber for fueling the furnaces. The glasshouse measured approximately 37 x 50 feet and sheltered three furnaces and one kiln built of river cobbles., The German artisans produced common green glass or Waldglas (forest glass). They most likely made window glass, bottles, vials or simple drinking glasses. This first industrial experiment lasted only one year, when the "Starving Time" and strained relations with the Powhatan Indians led to the abandonment of the glasshouse., In 1948-1949, the National Park Service excavated this site. In addition to the furnaces and kiln, a refuse pit was uncovered that yielded fragments of old melting pots, a "glory hole" or working hole, cullet (old glass used to make new glass), and glass drippings., (captions) , Glassblower, 1608 Sketch by Sidney King , Skilfull Workmen from Forraine Parts , Robert Johnson, Deputy Treasurer of the Virginia Company of London, 1609, Cullet or broken glass , Glasshouse features , Working furnace excavated in 1948-1949