Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The MusVerre originated in the industrial boom of Sars-Poteries in the 19th century, marked by the exploitation of its clay and siliceous basement. In 1802, the glassware below is founded, specialized in glass glass windows and table glass. Under the direction of Eugene Imbert, a second glass factory, d'en-haut, opened in 1869, diversifying production towards gobletery and flasking. The two sites, gathered in 1883 by Henri Imbert, employ up to 800 local workers before closing in 1937, victims of economic crises.

In 1967, parish priest Louis Mériaux organized an exhibition of rubbish — glass objects made by the workers during their breaks — collected from the inhabitants. The success of this initiative led to the creation of the museum in the old employers' house, Château Imbert. The collection is enriched with iconic objects such as the revenge inkreers or the Imbert lamp, offered by glassmakers for the wedding of their boss. These pieces, given by the Sarsians, form the foundation of the heritage exposed.

From 1976, Louis Mériaux founded a workshop to perpetuate glassmaking know-how, inviting former workers and young artists. The events he organized, such as the first International Symposium on Contemporary Glass (1982) and the Symposium on Glass and Architecture (1984), attracted creators from around the world. The 123 works from these meetings form the basis of the contemporary collection. In 1994, the Northern General Council took over the management of the museum, allowing it to expand and spread internationally.

In 2001, a new workshop with state-of-the-art technology was inaugurated, strengthening artists' residences and internships. In 2009, a modern building of 3,400 m2, designed by Raphaël Voinchet and W-Architectures, was built to house cultural collections and activities. MusVerre then became a major centre of glassmaking, integrating architecture, landscape and industrial heritage into a European dynamic.

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