Sandwich Massachusetts is nothing if not a town rich of history. Known as the oldest town on the Cape Cod, Sandwich was founded in the mid 1600s. The small town, originally a timber exporting community, would not see a drastic change until 1825 when Deming Jarves moved to the coast.

Relocated from Boston and the New England Glass Company, Jarves selected Sandwich for the potential sea trade and shipments. The location was also opportune due to the small size and promise of growth. Not only did Jarves begin to recruit employment locally, but he also enlisted the help of glassblowers from his previous company, as well as men from England and Ireland.

In no time, the Boston and Sandwich Glass Company prospered, producing beautifully crafted pieces. The Triple Overlay was by far one of the most interesting pieces. Symbolic of the rich history and luminous potential, this lamp guided and aided the growth. As the Company flourished, so did the adjoining community. A thriving community depended on the outcome of its factory, for it was the dominating employment in the area. The Company, in its most successful stage, employed hundreds of workers. Times were good for Sandwich. Once a small, agricultural community, now the town had something to be proud of, something that influenced not only them, but far beyond. This was the case, until the company’s closure in 1888.

 Glass Making literally shaped the environment around it. When The Company closed, there was nothing for the community of Sandwich. It forced the town into an economic depression, workers were forced to find other jobs or worse, leave Sandwich. Countless companies attempted to fill the place of the Boston and Sandwich Glass Company, but none would suffice; the use of the overlay method would never be as lucrative as when developed by the originally factory.  Years passed, and no sign of hope came for the glass industry. By 1944 every last factory had been removed, leaving very little of the company that meant so much to the town.

Though Sandwich no longer produces glass, the history of its foundation resides everywhere. The glass museum pays homage to company, and houses an array of beautifully crafted pieces. Residents cherish the glass products as well, collecting them in tribute. Now, the glass products from Sandwich are a rare commodity due to their craft and history.

Sandwich and Boston Massachusetts share a fondness for glass making. Both produced some of nation’s finest glass of the time. They were innovative, curiously experimenting with new ideas. Business wise, Boston and Sandwich were almost a pair, but community-wise, they were very different. Unlike Boston, Sandwich and its glass company were one in the same; they were dependent on each other. Where Boston flourished prior to the Glass Industry, Sandwich prospered because of it. 

Sandwich Glass Museum http://www.sandwichglassmuseum.org/

Weekly Assignments 8-12

Week 8: Lamp: Marker

Week 9: Desk: Pen

Week 10: Louis XIV Bed: Graphite
Week 11: Faucet: Colored Pencil
Week 12: Barcelona Chair: Marker 

Front View of House
Section Of Entryway and Library

It had been 50 years since Deming Jarves strolled into Sandwich in pursuit of opening the infamous Glass Company. Once a very small town, Sandwich now thrives with a close community, united by ties to the production of high crafted glass works. In this town, glass fabrication is not a job; it is an art form, a way of life.

Though mostly a town comprised of modest homes, Sandwich has embarked on building a number of ornate and expensive homes reflecting the colorful, elaborate nature of the period’s glass production. The company currently fabricates a line of finely blown, delicate glass; a glass highly alluring to the upscale patrons. No other house in Sandwich could possibly capture the essence of the glass creations, so much as the new gothic revival off of Main Street.

            The American Gothic Revival is a style highly influenced by its past. Contrasting to the European Gothic Revival, the American is far more an exploration of materials and new inventions. Exceptionally demanded, it calls for speedy construction, as well as high crafted carpentry. The beauty is in the details, and it should accommodate pieces that will highlight said entities. It is no wonder then, that the new Triple Overlay Lamp will reside in such a dwelling.

            Tucked away in the home’s library, the Overlay Lamp stands as a symbol of exploration and persistence. It can also be seen as an aid in viewing the beauty of its surroundings. The glow highlights the hard work, the attention to construction, and the impact of both the lamp itself, as well as the building encompassing it.  The supplementary furniture in the room remains simple, paying homage to the lamps impacting statement. Soft fabrics and rich wood only appear more alluring in the soft glow of the space. Sure the other rooms in this particular house have Glass Lamps and other works from the factory down the street, but this lamp in the library, is extraordinary. It illuminates the hopes for a prosperous, highly knowledgeable future.

                 Situated in nearby Boston, the Nicholas House shares the same ideas as that of the Sandwich Home. Crafted in a beautiful manner, they are both commodities alone, but when furbished with ornate essentials, they are highly impacting. They both allude to a time of exploration and prosper. The Nicholas House is, however, a museum and therefore does not reflect the Sandwich home’s ties to its beloved and notable, Cape Cod Town. 

Works Cited:

The Sandwich Glass Museum:  http://www.sandwichglassmuseum.org/about_us/history/page_3

Gothic Revival 1830- 1875 The Pointed Style:  http://www.realviews.com/homes/gothic.html