The Willson History Project is a retrospective showcasing the 130-year history of Willson Goggles, the manufacturing company which built the factory that now houses GoggleWorks, and hence where we get our name.
Historical artifacts depict the groundbreaking innovations of the company, which was the first to manufacture optical lenses in the United States and went on to lead the world in the development of safety products, such as goggles, hard hats, and gas masks. Guests can explore the history of Reading, along with the personal histories of Willson Goggle Factory workers. In addition, the exhibition connects the history of Willson Goggles to pivotal moments in national and world history, as well as key moments in arts and pop culture.
Special Thanks
The Willson History Project was supported in part by the Pennsylvania Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities’ “We the People” initiative on American history. Also special thanks to Allegro Arts and Custom Framing and Corbis Images.
