Our History

Thomas A. Willson & Co. opens its factory doors on 2nd & Washington Streets in downtown Reading, PA. Founded by Gile J. Willson and Dr. Thomas A. Willson, it’s the first company in the United States to manufacture optical lenses.

Thomas A. Willson patents the process for hardening glass, enabling the production of shatterproof protective eyeglasses. Among the company’s bestsellers at this time are Arundel tinted lenses.

Working with Thomas A. Willson & Co., the National Safety Council is formed to set standards for uniform safety standards for America’s workers.

Thomas A. Willson becomes Willson Products Inc. to emphasize the large range of products the company was now manufacturing, including ear protectors, breathing devices, gas masks, and the Saf-t-bra.

Willson Products helps the war effort by making aviator goggles and high altitude oxygen masks for pilots in the military. By 1943, the factory was manufacturing all of the sunglasses issued to the U.S. Military during World War II, and reached its peak at 1,300 workers.

Willson Products begins to manufacture swimming goggles. During this year, Florence Chadwick wears them to traverse the English Channel.

Due to the Occupational Safety & Health Act (OSHA), Willson stops manufacturing safety eyewear and focuses its attention on developing new varieties of respirators, gloves, and other protective equipment.

Under the name Dalloz Safety Plant since 1997, the factory closes, ending the campus’ 130 year history of manufacturing safety products.

The campus is reimagined, renovated, and reopened as GoggleWorks Center for the Arts – now serving over 250,000 visitors annually and one of the largest interactive art center of its kind in the country.

Leadership Transition and Programmatic Expansion
Following the passing of founder Albert Boscov, board leadership transitioned to Tod Auman and then Sandy Solmon, marking a new chapter for GoggleWorks. The organization continued to benefit from the steadfast guidance of founding board members Marlin Miller, the late Irv Cohen, Bill Koch, former Mayor Tom McMahon, and the late Gust Zogas. Levi Landis was appointed Executive Director and the nonprofit expanded its offerings through new on- and off-site programs, a handful of new teaching studios and on-site activities, and deepening engagement with artists and the surrounding community.

Neighborhood Task Force & Community-Led Planning
With support from the Wyomissing Foundation, GoggleWorks launches the Neighborhood Task Force—an alliance of 20+ anchor partners working to expand outreach and citywide impact. Through neighborhood canvassing and coalition-building, the team initiates GoggleWorks Gardens at Lauer’s Park and develops a comprehensive neighborhood planning process, supported by the Regional Foundation, to guide future programming and investment in the surrounding community.

GoggleWorks Art Park Launches
The campus grows outdoors with the debut of Art Park, a multi-phase expansion, activates underutilized urban land and strengthens the center’s role in cultural revitalization in downtown Reading, PA. Phase 1, opened in September 2024, offers multiple safe, inviting green spaces, outdoor lighting and art, a new restaurant, performance areas, and gathering spaces.

GoggleWorks 2 Opens
The final factory building on the GoggleWorks campus opens following a transformative partnership with Our City Reading, Boscov’s Department Store, and Helping Harvest, the regional food bank. The expanded facility will feature a heat-and-eat meal program and teaching kitchen operated by Helping Harvest; new GoggleWorks art studios; on-site housing for artists and teachers; Head Start classrooms through the Berks County Intermediate Unit (BCIU), and a full floor of interactive exhibits from the Reading Science Center.