About the NCC
- Our Mission
- The National Cambridge Collectors, Inc. is a non-profit Ohio corporation which was founded in 1973 to establish and maintain a permanent museum in Cambridge, Ohio for the display, study and preservation of Cambridge Glass. Part of the mission includes accumulating and publishing information related to the Cambridge Glass Company. Check this site regularly for news of scheduled meetings and upcoming events.
- National Museum of Cambridge Glass
The crowning achievement of the club has been the creation of
the National Museum of Cambridge Glass,
in Cambridge, Ohio. The Museum contains examples of Cambridge glass from the
first piece ever made (shown) through items manufactured in the last year of
operation. There are dioramas depicting various stages of the glass
manufacturing process. Docents will guide you through the Museum and
answer all of your questions. Colors galore, decorations, etchings,
cuttings, gold and silver and platinum overlays ... You must schedule
a visit if you're anywhere near Cambridge.- Annual Convention
- Every summer, towards the end of June, the National Cambridge Collectors holds a Convention in Cambridge, Ohio. It is held at the Pritchard-Laughlin Center, on US 40 in Cambridge. The Convention is a place where members gather to have a whole lot of fun, attend the Annual Meeting of the organization, listen to seminars by guest speakers and attend a Glass Show which features some of the best dealers in Cambridge glass from all over the country. There's even an event called the "Glass Dash", which is a kind of four hour mini-show, where the dealers come and set up early in the morning and it's over by 11:00 am. There is a banquet, displays of Cambridge glass and often there are bus trips which bring conventioneers to other glass-related sites in the area. We have a list of motels in the Cambridge area, along with the information you need to contact them directly. Be sure to let them know that you are with the National Cambridge Collectors, to ensure that you receive the best rates. This is surely an event not to be missed, so plan for Convention now.
- Membership
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Beginning in 2006, the Board of Directors authorized a new structure for membership dues, including the ability to make a donation to the organization at the same time. The structure is very similar to that used by other non-profit organizations. Basic membership is $35 for one year, and it includes everyone in the household. There are other levels of membership, which are detailed on the membership application form.
You can click on the "Make a Donation Giving Works" link at the bottom of this page to make your Annual Fund donation online, saving you time and avoid having to write and mail a check. Clicking on the link will direct you to the Paypal Giving Works page where you can select the level of membership. Look for the image matching the one shown here and select the appropriate level. NCC receives 100% of your contribution as a donation without the overhead expense of credit card processing.To pay by check, you can print out the Application for Membership form and mail it in along with your dues. Use your browser's "BACK" button to return to this page. [Note: You will need the Adobe Reader®, as the list is in "PDF format". Most modern computer systems come with the Adobe Reader® already installed. However, if you don't have it, you can download it here]
- Officers and Board Members
- The Board of Directors consists of 12 members. Each is elected to a four year term, and the terms are staggered so that three directors are elected every year. The Board meets after each election to choose the officers for a one year term. The Officers, Board members and Committee Chairpersons are all listed in the Crystal Ball each time it is published.
- One of the benefits of membership in the National Cambridge Collectors is the organization's newsletter, known as the Crystal Ball. Published ten months of the year, this publication informs members of Convention plans, Auction plans, Glass Shows, Board of Directors meetings, study groups and a President's message. In most issues, there is a detailed article relating to some phase of Cambridge glass, such as a study of a particular pattern, or historical information about the company. The Crystal Ball is a wealth of information, and members look forward to its arrival in their mailbox (electronic or postal).
- NCC's eBay Store
- The publications mentioned above that are for sale can be purchased online at the NCC's eBay Store, using PayPal® to make things easier for "computer literate" visitors and members. There are other items besides books available and you can even renew memberships (or join NCC !) and make donations to the Museum fund.
- Fund Raising Activities
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There are a number of different fund raising activities which provide the support for the Club activities. The annual dues barely cover the expenses of producing the Crystal Ball and delivering it to the membership. Covering the costs of running a first-class museum requires fairly substantial income for this non-profit organization.
Heritage Society: The NCC (National Cambridge Collectors. Inc.) established the Heritage Society in 2005 as a way to secure the future of its Cambridge Glass preservation mission. The NCC's Heritage Society provides members and other contributors with a non-binding. completely voluntary pledge program. Members of The Heritage Society are those who have included the NCC in their wills or estate plans, thus providing the organization with a secure future.
All-Cambridge Glass Auction: Every year there is an All-Cambridge Glass Auction held in conjunction with the March Quarterly meeting, with the items listed in the Crystal Ball and forms provided for members and non-members alike to submit absentee bids. All glass in the Annual Auction is guraranteed to be Cambridge glass. This is a major fund-raising project each year.
Museum Gift Shop: Located inside the National Museum of Cambridge Glass is a gift shop which has a fine selection of Cambridge glass for sale, along with books, Christmas ornaments and Jewelry items made from pieces of Cambridge glass, and other items of interest.
Other Fund-raisers: Some other fund-raising activites include membership pins, souvenir glass items, postcards, tote bags, prior year's Convention souvenirs, videos, Christmas ornaments and Jewelry made from Cambridge glass.
