WHITE MILLS -- It's been 150 years since Christian Dorflinger started making glass in Wayne County and became known around the world.
Wednesday, students took a trip back in time to learn about the history at the factory near Hawley.
High school students from Wallenpaupack Area School District were the historians on this field trip for fourth graders, sharing the back story on the former factory and the exquisite glass workers once created here.
"We were the fourth graders six years ago and now we're just keeping the cycle going," said junior Daniel Mele.
"I don't think they even realize what was made here. They made glass for presidents, for the president of Cuba," added Kelly Olbermiller.
As history club advisor, Olbermiller said Dorflinger Glass played a big role in White Mills' history, let alone the country's.
"We have to keep it alive or no one will ever remember, all these things they see will be gone," she said.
For more than a decade, students from Wayne Highlands and Wallenpaupack Area school districts have been coming to White Mills, learning a lot about their area's history and the glass factory and having some fun like kids their age used to have back in 1865."
"I remember when I was in fourth grade, coming here and it was really interesting to learn all about the glass and stuff," said junior Samantha Marino.
From the home of glass workers to the prized glass that went to Presidents Lincoln, Grant, and Kennedy, the owner of the factory-turned-museum near Hawley said sharing all the rich history here with kids is a great way keep it alive.
"Important for younger generation to understand what went on here, significance of this factory, and how some of their ancestors could have made a living," said Jim Asselstine.