Vidriera Monterrey S.A. was born on December 6th, 1909 impelled by the massive production of beer bottles. It was the first Mexican industrial glass factory in Monterrey and the foundation of Vitro.

Eighty years later, the former general offices building was transformed into a cultural area dedicated to glass. Years before it had short stints as a superintendence department, a fire station, and the infirmary.

Panorámica de las instalaciones de Vidriera Monterrey S.A.

In 1989, supported by the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) actions were taken to restore and transform the old building into a museum, however, the architectural standards had to be taken into consideration and the original materials had to be reused. These materials included bricks, tiles, wood floors, stairs, and the four steel columns that strengthen the structure.

After the building was restored, a multidisciplinary group of people that included museographers, researchers, and architects developed and implemented the project for the museum’s creation.

El edificio del Museo del Vidrio, antes de la restauración.

Finally, in 1992, The Glass Museum opened its doors to the public. This cultural space consists of three floors that are used as show-rooms for the permanent collection. The museum has the mission to rescue, preserve and spread the history of glass in Mexico. Furthermore it aims to establish a glass culture that includes the appreciation of glass as art and to promote the use of glass in artwork.

Today, you may the “home of Mexican glass” and stroll throughout the different periods and stages of glass history in Mexico. In the first level you can find traditional European glass from the 16th to the 19th centuries, the arrival of glass to our continent, and its differences with glass production in Mexico. Furthermore, you will find the history of traditional pulque glasses and containers.

The second floor is dedicated to popular and industrial glass. Here you can admire many examples of artisan glass pieces, made by both anonymous and recognized artists and artisans such as the Avalos family and the Abundis workshop. In addition, a traditional drugstore from the 19th century is exhibited, which includes samples of pharmaceutical glass. Further on we can find a setting of Claudio Pellandini and Victor Marco’s workshop, who were the pioneers of stained glass in Mexico at the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th. To end our visit on the second floor, the museum has designated three areas dedicated to industrial glass in Mexico. Here you will find samples of the first manufactured products in Cristaleria, and Vidriera Monterrey, Vitro’s initial glassware and glass containers companies.

The attic was first used as a show-room for temporary exhibitions but now hosts the museum’s permanent collection of contemporary glass art. This collection is composed by the work of local, national and international artists.

Edificio actual del Museo del Vidrio.