Turner Museum of Glass, Sheffield

The Turner Museum of Glass, located within the Sir Robert Hadfield Building at the University of Sheffield's Department of Materials Science and Engineering, is a significant institution dedicated to the history and artistry of glassmaking. Founded in 1943 by Professor W.E.S. Turner, a leading authority on glass technology, the museum showcases an extensive collection of glass artifacts spanning from ancient Egypt and Rome to major European and American glassworkers, with a particular emphasis on pieces from the 1920s to the 1950s.

Professor Turner, who was deeply involved in the study and teaching of glass technology, envisioned the museum as a source of inspiration for glassmakers, highlighting both aesthetic beauty and technical innovation. His collection, amassed through a lifetime of research and travel, forms the core of the museum's exhibits. The collection has expanded over the years through acquisitions and donations, including a notable set of eighteenth-century drinking glasses donated by Albert Harland in 1943.

The museum's catalog boasts over 380 pieces on permanent display, featuring a diverse range of glassworks from Bohemian, Czechoslovakian, Scandinavian, French, Dutch, and Italian artisans, as well as experimental works by Frederick Carder from Corning, New York. Among its most unique exhibits are the glass fiber wedding dress and matching shoes of Turner's wife, Helen Monro Turner, which has been recognized as part of the BBC's extended collection based on "A History of the World in 100 Objects."

Since 1993, the museum has been housed in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Sheffield, serving as a key resource for research and education. It attracts visitors worldwide with its unmatched collection of glass from the 1920s to 1950s, showcasing the skill and artistry of nineteenth and twentieth-century glassmakers.