The glassware pictured at right is a “Colony Harvest milk glass snack set” recently donated by a Village resident. The Harvest pattern consists of grape clusters and grape leaves embossed on a snowy white, milk glass. The small snack plate has an embossed ring in which to place the cup for carrying.

The Harvest pattern was created by Colony Glass during the 1950’s and was part of an extensive line of molds. Pieces of the Colony Harvest pattern were most often obtained by redeeming S&H green stamps. Consumers received a stamp for every dollar spent on items in a retail store. The stamps were saved in a booklet and when a book was filled with about 300 stamps, it could be redeemed for merchandise such as Colony Harvest glassware.

Colony Glass was owned by the Lancaster Glass Corporation who then acquired the Indiana Glass company during 1957. At the time, white milk glass was very popular and Colony Glass was struggling to produce the Harvest pattern milk glass fast enough to meet demand. Production was moved to the Indiana Glass Company’s facilities and was manufactured in great quantities to be sold under the Colony Glass name.

During 1961, the Lancaster Glass Corporation merged with other related housewares manufacturing companies to form the Lancaster Colony Corporation. Eventually glass production ended and during 1969 the company entered the specialty food business. Today the company manufactures and markets specialty food products for the retail and food service markets.

If you would like to contribute to local stories, collections, or other “Peeks at the Past,” you can reach the Historical Society at [email protected] or (262) 947-3600.