American Husks
The New Jersey State Museum is housed in a brutalist concrete building, surrounded by an expansive raised concrete courtyard, overlooking the domed concrete planetarium. Inside, the absence of crowds lends a quiet, almost desolate atmosphere, yet the friendly staff provide a warm contrast to the austere surroundings. Despite the lack of visitors, the museum offers a surprising number of exhibits. The most notable may be the basement gallery filled with the historic products of Trenton. When elementary school lessons on state history note that New Jersey was a hub for glass and pottery production, they often omit the fact that this referred not to simple pots, mugs, or mass-produced goods, but to works of fine craftsmanship. You will be surprised by the variety of crafts: decorative architectural poured ironworks, ornate vases, fine china, and custom furniture.
The Trenton Vase made for the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis
Each of these products was created by a virtuous craftsman and represents an output that is only made possible by strong cultural conditions. The craftsman spent time and effort honing his craft and participated in the community through an apprenticeship or union - and a buyer valued the quality of the product. These craftsmen also built resilient careers—making plates in the 1850s, bathtubs, toilets, and sinks during the 1870s, and electrical components during the 1890s [1][2]. Much of this industry disappeared after WWII as electricity was directed towards producing other products, and the industrial pottery industry vanished entirely after the rise of plastics. One of the few remaining notable Trenton pottery companies, Boehm Studios, moved to Surfside Beach, South Carolina in 2022 [3]. Ironically, President Nixon’s gift to Mao Zedong to normalize relations with China was a Boehm piece called Mute Swans.
Mute Swans - a gift from President Richard Nixon to Mao Zedong.
Today, if you travel through the neighborhoods surrounding Trenton it is impossible not to feel a sense of unease as one passes vacant factories and abandoned industrial sites. The rusting husks of once-vibrant production facilities are remnants of America's industrial past. The phrase "Trenton Makes, the World Takes" is emblazoned in red neon lights across the Lower Trenton Bridge, spanning the Delaware River. This iconic sign was erected in 1935. Observed daily by the local community, it declared with clarity and confidence: “We make things here.” In 2006, Dartha Heath, a descendant of the creator of the slogan, was asked by NPR, “Does Trenton still make what the world takes?” She responded, “Well, I have a feeling they don’t” [5]. By 2019, a local radio station had to explain the meaning of the sign, as some of the public no longer understood its significance.
The Lower Trenton Bridge at night.
The decline of American manufacturing is not merely an economic story; it is a cultural one. It manifests not only in the loss of jobs but also in the erosion of self-reliance and craftsmanship. Take nails, for instance—a product so simple and heavy that it seems illogical to import. Now, the majority of nails used in the United States are imported, with China and Vietnam dominating the market [8]. The same holds true for other cumbersome, straightforward-to-manufacture goods like screws, bolts, and basic tools. Outsourcing these products has not only hollowed out the industries themselves, but has also stripped the country of the skills and infrastructure needed to sustain their production.
This outsourcing is not limited to simple goods; it extends into industries that were once hallmarks of American ingenuity. This is perhaps most evident in the U.S. glass industry, once a shining example of innovation and excellence. Throughout the 20th century, the United States led the world in glass production, with companies like Corning setting global standards [6]. Yet by the 21st century, this industry, too, found itself in decline. Supply constraints, increased demand, and foreign competition have created a perfect storm. Domestic production has dwindled to the point where, as of 2023, imports constituted a significant portion of the glass market. The United States imported approximately $9.22 billion worth of glass and glassware, accounting for nearly 24% of the total global consumption market [7]. China alone supplies over half of these imports, with other significant contributors including Canada, Mexico, and India.
Traveling south of Trenton, one finds the more recently abandoned Salem Glass Plant. It began operations in 1863 and was acquired by Ardagh Group in 2013. Shortly after, the FTC raised antitrust concerns about Ardagh owning too many U.S. glass factories, forcing the company to divest several plants. As part of the settlement with the FTC, Ardagh sold six of its nine U.S. glass plants, including a facility in Winchester, IN, which later shut down. The loss of these plants led to the loss of skilled laborers, who are often not replaced. Antitrust concerns are not unique to the glass industry; today, similar concerns surround Nippon Steel's planned acquisition of U.S. Steel. While antitrust measures may promote local competition in some cases, it is important to consider their potential to cause long-term skill shortages and the permanent loss of manufacturing facilities—both of which are critical to maintaining America’s strategic position [9]. The Salem plant, though spared by the FTC deal, met its end in 2014 after Ardagh lost a major contract with Dr. Pepper. This was possibly due to Dr. Pepper consolidating by buying out its bottling and transportation provider, Davis Beverage Group [10].
Salem NJ currently suffers from real estate blight.
Fast forward to 2023: another major blow for Ardagh came when Anheuser-Busch, following a populist boycott of Bud Light, drastically cut orders for its beer bottles. This was a major client for Ardagh, whose U.S. glass production declined by 16% [11]. Unintentionally, the Republican populist movement delivered the blow, despite championing itself as pro-manufacturing and pro-business. Ardagh executives stated in a Packaging Dive article that the closures “provided us with the opportunity to earlier eliminate” certain operations and “to absorb continuing business from these plants into other parts of our network” [12]. Even where domestic production remains, it is largely limited to mass-produced items like bottles, with little emphasis on the diversity and high-value craftsmanship that once defined the industry. The focus of these factories on bulk production leaves little room for the intricate, artisan-level skills that once flourished in hubs like Trenton.
Aerial View of Salem Glass showing a state of disrepair.
On a local scale, the closure of large industrial sites like Salem Glass has a devastating impact on the community. Hundreds of jobs are lost. When factories are abandoned, the towns in which they are located receive less revenue in property taxes, leading to ripple effects that hurt other businesses, schools, and real estate values. The hurdles to reshoring such industries are immense, and many of them are regulatory. The same buildings that once hummed with activity—producing everything from machine tools to glass sculptures—now face a gauntlet of red tape. These old buildings are often the only industrial properties located within walking distance of workers’ homes and would likely be great locations for alternative enterprises. However, regulations, zoning laws, and safety standards create an environment where refurbishing these large structures is often more costly and time-consuming than demolishing them. Industrial facilities face even greater challenges, from asbestos abatement to compliance with modern fire codes. Not only have these factories closed, but the ground they are on has been salted, making it very difficult for any new industry to grow.
These conditions have led to a strategic skills shortage, one that poses long-term risks to the nation's resilience and self-sufficiency. The decline of manufacturing has not only stripped the country of economic opportunities but also eroded the cultural identity of the American craftsman. The artisan—once a symbol of American ingenuity and pride—has been replaced by automated systems and foreign supply chains. This loss is felt not only in economic terms but also in the social fabric of communities that once thrived on skilled labor.
A potential solution could involve reimagining abandoned industrial spaces as hubs for artisan craftsmanship. By offering opportunities for individuals to gain expertise in niche, high-value trades, these facilities could serve as incubators for a new generation of skilled workers. Given current conditions, this vision may seem challenging, but the low cost of living in many former industrial cities could incentivize participation in programs aimed at developing these skills. Imagine a former glass factory transformed into a studio where artisans create premium, bespoke glassware; an old ironworks repurposed as a foundry for custom metalwork; or a shuttered textile mill reborn as a workshop for fine furniture. These spaces could not only revive local economies but also become cultural landmarks, proving that "Made in the USA" is more than a label—it’s a symbol of cultural success.
Moreover, these efforts would address a critical strategic need. In a world increasingly dependent on global supply chains, maintaining domestic manufacturing capabilities is a matter of national security. The ability to produce essential goods, from nails to advanced electronics, cannot be left entirely in the hands of foreign suppliers. Through private investments in restarting these industries under loosened regulatory frameworks, the United States could not only reclaim its manufacturing heritage but also ensure its resilience in the face of future challenges.
However, the prospect of rebooting these buildings by focusing on craftsmanship may be wishful thinking without further cultural shifts. The modern American economy is dominated by a mindset of fast consumption, disposable products, and planned obsolescence. A society that prioritizes convenience and cost over quality is unlikely to fully embrace the value of artisanal goods or support the industries that produce them. Changing this trajectory would require more than economic incentives; it demands a shift in consumer priorities and a cultural realignment toward valuing community, quality, and skilled craftsmanship over short-term gratification. Without such a shift, efforts to revive factories will struggle to gain traction in a market conditioned to discard and replace rather than preserve and cherish.
To revitalize the concept of the Virtuous Craftsman, we must recognize that these trades are not relics of the past - they are vital skills that retain a connection to our multigenerational social culture.
References
1. "A Brief History of the Trenton Pottery Industry." Potteries of Trenton Society, https://potteriesoftrentonsociety.org/a-brief-history-of-the-trenton-pottery-industry/. Accessed December 2023.
2. "Trenton Potteries." Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park, https://dandrcanal.org/aboutd-r-canal-state-park/points-of-interest/trenton-potteries. Accessed December 2023.
3. The Boehm Showroom. https://theboehmshowroom.com/. Accessed December 2023.
4. "Pottery Collection." Ellarslie: The Trenton City Museum, https://ellarslie.org/collection/pottery/. Accessed December 2023.
5. "Does Trenton Still Make What the World Takes?" NPR, 2006, https://www.npr.org/transcripts/5157037. Accessed December 2023.
6. "U.S. Glass Industry Overview." IBISWorld, https://ibisworld.com. Accessed December 2023.
7. "The World of Glass Imports." Statista, https://statista.com. Accessed December 2023.
8. "U.S. Import Data." Trading Economics, https://tradingeconomics.com. Accessed December 2023.
9. "Industrial Production Index for Glass Products." Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED), https://fred.stlouisfed.org. Accessed December 2023.
10. "Dr. Pepper Snapple Group Acquires Assets of Davis Beverage Group." Business Wire, November 2014, https://businesswire.com. Accessed December 2023.
11. Pan, Jing. "Glass Bottling Plants Are Shutting Down After Bud Light Boycott Slammed Sales — 600 Employees Are Now Jobless." Yahoo Finance, 10 July 2023, https://finance.yahoo.com/news/glass-bottling-plants-shutting-down-163753701.html. Accessed December 2023.
12. "Ardagh, Silgan Closures Add to November Packaging Layoff Announcements." Packaging Dive, 6 December 2023, https://www.packagingdive.com/news/ardaghsilgantranscontinental-packaging-manufacturing-layoffs-closures/700870/. Accessed December 2023.
Images
Trenton Potteries Company Monumental Vases
"Trenton Potteries Company Monumental Vases." Potteries of Trenton Society, https://potteriesoftrentonsociety.org/news-events/blog/trenton-potteries-company-monumental-vases/. Accessed 3 Jan. 2025.
50th Anniversary of Richard and Pat Nixon's Historic Visit to China
"50th Anniversary of Richard and Pat Nixon's Historic Visit to China." Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, https://www.nixonlibrary.gov/news/50th-anniversary-richard-and-pat-nixons-historic-visit-china. Accessed 3 Jan. 2025.
TMABucks Image
TMABucks. Untitled Image of Bucks County Roadway, https://www.tmabucks.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/4098028835_6ddd28592c_b.jpg. Accessed 3 Jan. 2025.
Salem, New Jersey Water Privatization Vote
"Salem, New Jersey Vote Yes on Water Privatization Election 2023." WHYY, https://whyy.org/articles/salem-new-jersey-vote-yes-water-privatization-election-2023/. Accessed 3 Jan. 2025.
YouTube Video
"History of Salem Glass." YouTube, uploaded by Al Stringer, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pV8xx4rs2so. Accessed 3 Jan. 2025.