Walk Through More Than 20,000 Pieces Of Glassware At This Unique Museum In Indiana

Hidden away in one of the most low-key small towns in Indiana - a town of just 1,923 people by the name of Dunkirk - is a highly unusual and truly unique little (or maybe not-so-little) museum. Sure, there are several world-famous museums in Indiana (see: The Indianapolis Children's Museum), but they tend to be pretty crowded sometimes, right? Well - why not check out one of Indiana's most uniquely offbeat little museums that's literally hidden inside a library? Enter the Dunkirk Public Library, which is home to the hidden gem known we're looking at today - a museum of glass. Don't think a museum filled with glass could be all that interesting? Well, that's where you're wrong, friend-o. Come explore this unique glass museum in Indiana and check out all the aesthetically pleasing shiny things you've been missing in your life and never knew; just make sure to leave your bull at home for this one. It's not a china shop or anything, but... you know. Liability.

Just seemingly chillin' out inside the Dunkirk Public Library is one of Indiana's shiniest (literally) hidden gems.

It's the Dunkirk Glass Museum, and here, you'll find more than 20,000 unique pieces of glassware, sculptures, stained glass, knick-knacks, and so much more. You'll have had no idea glass was such a versatile art form until you walk the halls of this offbeat little museum.

Among the many items you'll see displayed are things like this stunning handmade glass crown, which is said to reflect the hopes and dreams of the young women who attend the Glass Days Celebration at the museum every year in hopes of being crowned this year's Cinderella Queen of Glass.

Of course, so as not to spoil the rest of the visit (and out of respect to the museum), these first two photos are the only ones that are from the museum itself. We've gone ahead and chosen some truly gorgeous glass photos for the rest of the article so none of the cool stuff in the museum is spoiled (plus, it's not cool to take photos inside a museum anyway).

You'll see amazing stained glass artworks, hand-made and hand-crafted glass art, utilities, and everything in between.

Glass is a remarkably resilient and flexible art form. There's almost no end to the countless things one could theoretically create with glass.

Plus, once it's cooled off and everything is set, it sure is gorgeous.

The Glass Museum goes way back. The Dunkirk Public Library was initially founded as part of a school in 1917. In 1946, the library got its own building, and in 1970, the idea for the Glass Museum was pitched to the board. It began as a display of a nice personal collection owned by private collectors in the library itself; soon, though, it would grow, and it continues to do so to this very day.

In 1976, the library "sold" the land the museum is on to the Glass Museum Fund Corporation for one dollar. The GMF would build the new Glass Museum on the land, and once it was completed, it was "resold" back to the library.

In 1979, it happened: the new Dunkirk Glass Museum was "sold" back to the library the land was "bought" from, and it was officially dedicated in 1981. It was a long time in the making, and this labor of love cannot be missed.

You'll leave with an expanded mind about all things glass.

Seriously, we weren't aware that one could do SO MANY THINGS with glass, but now we are - and you will be, too! It's a quiet, peaceful, weirdly fascinating and unique little place, and we're pretty excited to have found it.

For more information (and a few more pictures), be sure to visit the official Glass Museum page on the library's website.

So, what do you think? Any plans to visit the Glass Museum in Indiana? Do you have any favorite museums in Indiana? Tell us about your favorites in the comments!