Any museum that can keep you interested and stimulated for more than four hours is doing an excellent job of reaching you. My family and I visited the Corning Museum of Glass in Central New York, and we all found it to be an excellent combination of art, science, technology and history. By touching upon these fields and concentrating around glass, of all things, this museum entertains and educates people of all ages and educational levels.

I'd visited once or twice before as a kid, but only remembered a glass blowing demonstration. Both my daughters had visited as teenagers, with their sleep away camp groups, and were pleased to revisit the exhibits at a more leisurely pace. As a former social studies teacher, I always enjoyed teaching the units on advancements in technology and science, in both global and American history courses.

The museum has a very attractive layout and presents its various exhibitions in a way that can seem overwhelming at times, but you can either linger over each display case or rush on more quickly. Much of the museum has large windows so that natural light pours in along with artificial, which helps to make the glass displayed seem even more enticing.

We spent considerable time in the galleries featuring contemporary arts glass works. The variety and forms were astonishing, and while many were abstract or whimsical pieces, others were infused with social commentary or pushed the boundaries of expectations one might have regarding glass art.

We also attended a glass blowing demonstration, and I learned a bit about the role in glass production history of my hometown, Brooklyn. Then we examined much of the exhibition about innovation in glass making, technology and uses. Among the lessons learned here is that innovation in glass tech and production has involved much trial and error-- and this continues. Much teamwork and atypical experimentation has gone into this field, including from women and by the use of kitchen science.

After lunch we visited the highly comprehensive series of galleries devoted to the history of glass craftsmanship and art. So many parts of the world have been involved. Many styles and artistic themes have emerged in glass. We saw ancient works that have survived, as well as more recent pieces. Of course there were pieces made by the Tiffany studios; I've long been a fan of Tiffany lamps and pieces, and the offerings at Corning were wonderful to see. 

Certain things stood out for me: the many Czech glass artists of the 20th century, Art Deco styles, religious themes in glass art, cameos (which reminded me of my paternal grandmother's penchant for these works), and two glass musical instruments (one consisting of glasses tuned to each of the 12 Western notes of music). 

Of course we patronized the gift shop for small pieces and jewelry, and I purchased a book guide to the museum.

Overall, I love visiting museums. But this one is special, and it integrates the arts and sciences so well.