The Museums of Oglebay Institute recently celebrated the dedication of the Johnson & Millie McKinley Gallery, a permanent gallery space honoring both a remarkable Wheeling family and an important chapter in the city’s rich glassmaking history.
Family members, friends, museum supporters, members of Oglebay Institute’s Board and Museum Committee, and representatives from the Wheeling Park Commission gathered at the Glass Museum to commemorate the occasion and recognize a generous gift from former Congressman David B. McKinley and his wife, Mary.
The gallery is named in honor of David McKinley’s parents, Johnson and Millie McKinley, whose family’s connection to Wheeling’s glass industry runs deep.
Millie McKinley was the granddaughter of Carl Northwood, one of the founders of the renowned Northwood Glass Company. Along with his brother, Harry Northwood, Carl established the company in Wheeling in 1902. The company quickly grew into one of the nation’s largest and most successful glass manufacturers, earning international acclaim for its colorful, innovative pressed glass and distinctive carnival glass designs.
Northwood glass became popular because it brought beauty and artistry within reach of everyday Americans. Before the company ceased operations in 1925, its products were shipped throughout the United States and around the world, helping establish Wheeling as a center of glassmaking excellence.
Today, that legacy lives on at Oglebay Institute’s Glass Museum, which houses the largest collection of Northwood glass in the world. Thousands of visitors each year come to explore the collection and learn about the craftsmanship, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit that helped shape Wheeling’s industrial history.
During the dedication ceremony, Oglebay Institute President Danielle Cross McCracken reflected on the significance of the gift and the values it represents.
“We are here to officially dedicate the Johnson and Millie McKinley Gallery, a space that celebrates an important part of Wheeling’s glassmaking heritage through our outstanding collection of Northwood glass,” McCracken said.
She noted that the gallery’s naming reflects more than generosity. It honors a family’s commitment to preserving history and sharing it with future generations.
“We are especially grateful that this gift reflects something deeply important to both David and Mary: honoring family, preserving history, and ensuring that Wheeling’s glassmaking heritage and the work of Oglebay Institute continue to be shared with future generations,” she said.
The Johnson & Millie McKinley Gallery not only recognizes the McKinley family’s enduring connection to Wheeling’s storied glass industry, but also strengthens Oglebay Institute’s mission to preserve and interpret the region’s cultural heritage.
As visitors explore the gallery and its spectacular Northwood glass displays, they are reminded that behind every piece is a story. The dedication of the Johnson & Millie McKinley Gallery ensures those stories, and the legacy of the people who helped create them, will continue to inspire generations to come.
For more information about Oglebay Institute’s Glass Museum at Oglebay Park call 304-242-7272 or click here: The Museums of Oglebay Institute