Stories told through glass
New Duncan & Miller museum director driven by 鈥榟istory and storytelling鈥�
Janine Surmick鈥檚 favorite item in the Duncan & Miller Glass Museum isn鈥檛 one of the elegantly crafted pieces of tableware that is behind glass, or one of the swan-shaped dishes.
Instead, it鈥檚 a vintage glass-making press that sits in the museum鈥檚 basement on Ridge Avenue. It came from a glass plant in Ohio, and it鈥檚 just like one of the presses that could have been in the Duncan & Miller factory on Jefferson Avenue more than a century ago. Surmick likes the press because it鈥檚 a tangible link to the human side of glassmaking 鈥� that all the antique glassware that is now prized by collectors did not materialize out of thin air, but were the result of human ingenuity and toil.
Surmick explains that 鈥渉istory and storytelling鈥� both drive her.
鈥淲hat鈥檚 so special to me about being here is people,鈥� she said. 鈥淎 human being behind the glass created that and designed that.鈥�
Surmick will have the opportunity to tell the story of the Duncan & Miller Glass Company and its fabled history as the museum鈥檚 new executive director. She started in April, and is the first person to fill the role.
Surmick comes to the job with a varied background. A native of New Jersey who later settled in Reading with her family, Surmick majored in philosophy at Alvernia College (now Alvernia University), focusing on the German philosopher Martin Heidegger. She was also a theater minor, and firmly believes that, yes, liberal arts majors can find meaningful employment after graduation.
鈥淚鈥檒l die on that hill,鈥� she said.
She came to the Pittsburgh region when she started work on a master鈥檚 degree in creative writing at Chatham University. Before long, she was involved in nonprofit organizations in the region, including the RiverQuest, the educational and environmental nonprofit, and founded Literacy Abridged, which provides resources to help children up to age 5 sharpen their reading skills. A published poet, Surmick has also done some travel writing, is a member of Kiwanis and was a counselor on funerals and burial options for the Catholic Cemeteries Association of the Diocese of Pittsburgh.
The different jobs she has tackled 鈥渞eally lends itself to be able to address different circumstances as they arise,鈥� Surmick said.
Jon Day, president of the museum鈥檚 board, said he and other members of the board were impressed with her background.
鈥淲e thought she鈥檇 fit in with us,鈥� he explained.
The next few months promise to be busy ones at the museum, which settled in its location in 2019 after years of being in a house on Jefferson Avenue. The National Duncan Glass Society is having its annual sale of glass, jewelry and other items at the Washington County Fairgrounds July 11-12. Various events are on tap to celebrate America鈥檚 250th birthday, including an 鈥淎merica the Beautiful鈥� art show Aug. 29, and a bourbon tasting and silent auction Sept. 19. A Victorian-era bridal shower is planned for Oct. 11 and floral design workshops are scheduled for Nov. 24 and Dec. 23.
Surmick is hoping to expand educational opportunities for children during her time at the helm of the Duncan & Miller Glass Museum and increase awareness of the museum among their parents and grandparents. The museum 鈥渟hould not be a hidden treasure at all.鈥�
鈥淚t鈥檚 not just beautiful (glass),鈥� she added. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the stories of the individuals who worked there. That鈥檚 the heart of it.鈥�