The Mariners' Museum Opens Sea Glass: Pieces from the Collection

For Immediate Release

The Mariners' Museum Opens Sea Glass: Pieces from the Collection

Newport News, Va.-- Composed of objects used at sea and inspired by things maritime, Sea Glass: Pieces from the Collection is the newest exhibition at The Mariners' Museum, opening on Saturday, April 4. Sea Glass is the Museum's contribution as an affiliate of the regional exhibitions of Art of Glass 2, organized by the Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk and the Contemporary Art Center in Virginia Beach.

One of the main components of the exhibition is the collection of York River bottles, recovered from the "sunken fleet" of Yorktown. During the siege of Yorktown and following the surrender of Cornwallis on October 19, 1781, the Royal Navy scuttled some 50 supply and transport vessels in order to prevent their capture by the French Navy, allies to the Continental Army commanded by George Washington. Beginning in the summer of 1934, The Mariners' Museum and Colonial National Historical Park conducted a joint archaeological project to recover as many items from the wreck as possible. Along with hundreds of ship parts, tools, and cannon, archaeologists discovered a cache of glass bottles. Long time immersion in the York River changed the color of the bottles from their traditional green to colorful iridescent patterns in blue, yellow, orange and red. The complete collection of York River bottles is now on display for the first time since their arrival at the Museum in 1935.

In addition, Sea Glass: Pieces from the Collection features a wide variety of objects, including a commemorative goblet from Admiral Lord Nelson's funeral, stained glass windows from 19th-century passenger ships, a sixth-0rder Fresnel lighthouse lens, medicine bottles and cases, cut glass, and scientific instruments.

For more information:
Contact: Amy Richie, Public Relations Director
(757) 591-7738 or (800) 581-7245
E-mail: pr@MarinersMuseum.org

The Mariners' Museum, an educational, non-profit institution accredited by the American Association of Museums, preserves and interprets maritime history through an international collection of ship models, figureheads, paintings and other maritime artifacts. The museum is open from 10 A.M. until 5 P.M. Monday through Saturday, and 12 to 5 P.M. Sunday. It will be closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. For information, visit www.marinersmuseum.org, call (757) 596-2222 or (800) 581-7245, or write to The Mariners' Museum, 100 Museum Drive, Newport News, VA 23606.

The Mariners' Museum and The South Street Seaport Museum of New York City are partners in America's National Maritime Museum, an innovative alliance recognized by an act of Congress in June 1998 to share collections, exhibitions, educational programs, publications, and other endeavors.