About Heisey Collectors of America
Heisey Collectors of America (HCA) is a non-profit organization formed in 1971 by 20 collectors who were passionate about the high quality, handmade glassware created by A.H. Heisey & Company in Newark, Ohio.
Our Mission
Heisey Collectors of America, Inc., (HCA) is a nonprofit corporation that owns and operates the Heisey Glass Museum. HCA’s mission is to document, preserve, and publicize the history of the A. H. Heisey & Company of Newark, Ohio (1896-1957).
Through educational and informational displays, exhibits, and programs, the museum’s extensive collection of glassware and related materials provides visitors and HCA members with knowledge and insight into the company’s rich history.
The founders wanted to share their common interest and knowledge with others and to create a museum that would serve as home for a complete collection of Heisey glass and artifacts of the Heisey company.
The HCA Board of Directors, elected by voting members, provides leadership for the organization and the museum. Members from across the country continue to provide the financial and volunteer support necessary to maintain a museum of 9,000 pieces of Heisey glass. This support makes it possible to employ professional staff, educate the public about the rich history of A.H. Heisey & Company, and build the collection toward the goal of housing a sample of every item produced by the company. Members also established an Endowment that has grown to over $7 million* in assets to ensure the future of the museum.
*Endowment Fund value in September 2025.
Founding Members
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Member: George Abdalla
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Member: Evelyn Allen
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Member: Harry Allen
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Member: Esther Culbertson
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Member: Howard Culbertson
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Member: Ann Holman
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Member: Maurice Holman
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Member: Carl Law
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Member: Frances Law
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Member: Dick Marsh
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Member: Ginny Marsh
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Member: Carole McPeek
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Member: Wayne McPeek
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Member: Stephanie Moore
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Member: Louise Ream
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Member: Russell Ream
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Member: Emogene Shomaker
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Member: Donna Yeager
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Member: Loren Yeakley
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Member: Virginia Yeakley
HCA was formed by 20 members of the Newark Heisey Club in response to requests from attendees of a display of Heisey glass earlier in the year.
HCA Constitution and Bylaws were adopted.
The first issue of Heisey News, the official club newsletter, was published.
HCA announced that the historic Samuel D. King House was donated to the organization for a museum if they were willing to move and restore it.
Following restoration, the King House was dedicated as the Heisey Glass Museum.
The HCA Board of Directors established the Endowment Fund to provide resources to operate and maintain the museum.
After a year of extensive negotiation and fundraising, HCA members picked up hundreds of Heisey moulds and brought them back to Newark. The moulds had been sold to Imperial Glass when the Heisey factory closed. When Imperial closed and its assets were liquidated, HCA negotiated their purchase, beating out a West German firm that had sought to purchase them.
Ground was broken for the Gallery Building expansion of the museum.
The Gallery Building was dedicated.
Board of Directors
HCA Study Clubs
Study clubs give members an opportunity to learn about Heisey glass and socialize with people who share a common interest in Heisey. Clubs are located throughout the country. Some meet in person, some meet online. Each club sets its own meeting schedule and determines the format of its meetings.
If you are interested in forming a study club in your area, contact the museum for information on how to become a chartered Heisey Study Club.
Committee Assignments
Standing Committees
Budget & Finance
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Committee Chair: Andy Baldus
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Member: Gordon Cochran
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Member: Derek Smith
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Member: Karen Taylo
Convention
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Member: Cheryl Varrasso
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Member: Jennifer Miller
Special Projects
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Committee Chair: James Warren
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Member: Jennifer Miller
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Member: Cheryl Varrasso
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Member: Tina Heffley
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Member: Michael Maher
Membership
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Committee Chair: James Warren
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Member: Cheryl Varrasso
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Member: Caleb-Michael Files
Fundraising / Sponsorship
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Committee Chair: James Warren
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Member: Valerie Morgan
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Member: Bucky Will
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Member: Tina Heffley
Publicity
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Committee Chair: Bari Fauss
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Member: Caleb-Michael Files
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Member: Mary Olson
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Member: David Malick
Special Committees
Policies & Procedures
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Committee Chair: Martha McGill
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Member: Elizabeth Shirley
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Member: Frachele Scott
Warehouse
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Committee Chair: Jay Goletz
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Member: Dick Smith
Ground Maintenance
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Committee Chair: Jay Goletz
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Member: Jennifer Miller
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Member: Lucca Cunningham
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Member: Lilli Cunningham
Personnel
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Committee Chair: Eric Tankesley-Clarke
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Member: Caleb-Michael Files
Website
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Committee Chair: Caleb-Michael Files
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Member: Martha McGill
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Member: Mary Olson
Newsletter
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Committee Chair: Mary Olson
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Member: Geoff Heisey
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Member: Martha McGill
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Member: Kirk Homrighouse
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Member: Eric Tankesley-Clarke
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Member: Bari Fauss
Research & Archives
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Committee Chair: David Malick
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Member: Eric Tankesley-Clarke
Collections & Acquisitions
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Committee Chair: Walter Ludwig
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Member: Marilyn Smith
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Member: Virginia Marsh
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Member: Andy Baldus
Nominations
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Committee Chair: Martha McGill
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Member: Darlene Cochran
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Member: Bari Fauss
Volunteer
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Committee Chair: Julie Goletz
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Member: Cheryl Varrasso
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Member: Jennifer Miller
Education & Programs
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Committee Chair: David Malick
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Member: James Warren
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Member: Eric Tankesley-Clarke
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Member: Jim Cooke
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Member: Mike Morgan
Auction
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Committee Chair: Donna Nyght
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Auction Firm Manager: Jennifer Miller
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Member: Walter Ludwig
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Member: Bucky Will
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Member: Lisa Baldus
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Member: Eric Tankesley-Clarke
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Member: Jay Goletz
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Member: Bari Fauss
Strategic Planning
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Committee Chair: Mary Olson
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Member: Howard Long
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Member: Caitlin Clay
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Member: Jennifer Miller
Properties
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Committee Chair: Jay Goletz
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Member: Dick Smith
By Laws
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Committee Chair: Martha McGill
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Member: Bari Fauss
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Member: Howard Long
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Member: Elizabeth Shirley
Board of Directors Election
The 12-member Heisey Collectors of America Board of Directors is elected in June. Board members serve four-year terms. Three board seats are open each year.
The Nominations Committee presents a slate of candidates at the April Membership Meeting. Members interested in becoming a candidate for the board may contact the chair of the Nominations Committee prior to the meeting or be nominated from the floor during the meeting. Candidates must be voting members in good standing.
Information on candidates will be posted here in May and published in Heisey News.
HCA members who wish to vote must pay a voting membership fee of $25, which will allow them to vote in all HCA elections as long as their annual dues are current.