The story of the Libbey Glass Company began in East Cambridge, Massachusetts. The establishment of the firm in 1818 as the New England Glass Company marked the beginning of one of the most successful American glass manufacturers of the 19th and 20th centuries. The factory relocated to Toledo, Ohio in 1888, where it continued to create decorative glassware as W. L. Libbey & Son and later the Libbey Glass Company, under the leadership of Edward Drummond Libbey (1854–1925), founder and benefactor of the Toledo Museum of Art.

Throughout its history, Libbey Glass has created a tremendous variety of fine blown and pressed objects. It built its reputation beginning in the late 19th century on fine cut glass wares like the famous Libbey Punch Bowl. It has also been an industry leader in automating the production of bottles, lightbulbs, and tablewares. Today, its reputation continues to thrive through its extensive production of glass made for restaurants and retailers.

Libbey’s innovative and creative approach to glass has enabled it to endure difficult economic climates, growing competition in glass manufacturing, and dramatic changes in taste and style. This display of remarkable objects created over the last two centuries of the company’s continuous operation illustrates the story of the ingenuity in design and production of one of America’s oldest and most distinguished glass companies.