Special Features

New features, stories and highlights from Southbridge

NEWS, BLOGS, STORIES AND MORE…

With so much happening in our museum world, we created this space to highlight all those special stories that celebrate the uniqueness of the Optical Heritage Museum and it’s dedicated people.

From retold stories of the past, to celebrations of optical industry giants, to exploring the biggest innovations in optical history. This is your one stop shop for all things optical history.


A recently extracted magazine article highlights Norman Rockwell, famous American painter, providing an insight to his life as he begins his painting journey.

Norman Rockwell: Telling the story on canvas

On Mic with Jordan Rich

Museum Director, Debbie Schiro, discusses optical history with radio veteran Jordan Rich

Diane Matuck: A tribute to one of our biggest champions

Honoring Diane Matuck for her tireless work as board member for 15+ years

American Optical Lensometer: The history

The visual story behind the AO Lensometer

Estelle Glancy: An extract from 1947

Newly released documents from the Museum archives, paint a picture of the pioneering scientist

Landmark Designation Ceremony: AO Lensometer

View the photos taken from the AO Lensometer Designation Ceremony in March 2023

The mind behind the Tillyer Lens: An extract from 1940

Meet Dr. Edgar Tillyer, Chief AO lens designer responsible for many optical breakthroughs

ZEISS technology in space

Explore the incredible and iconic imagery captured in space with ZEISS technology

The evolution of vintage sunwear

Explore the gallery, dating back to the early 1900’s to see for yourself how sunwear styles evolved through time

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Vintage Articles

Read the historical achievements of the optical industry

Event Recaps

Guest authored stories about our recent events