Own a glass piece of history
The Rennebohm Building is now gone, but pieces of it are for sale as part of a fundraiser for the Madison Trust for Historic Preservation.
A total of 377 pieces of "Luxfer Tile" prism glass that once lit the interior of Rennebohm's Drug Store at the corner of University and Randall avenues are for sale between $12 to $18 at the Trust's awards dinner at 7 tonight and on consignment at Unearthed, 2501 University Ave. Proceeds from the sales will help fund future landmark nominations.
Of the glass pieces, which measure 4 inches square, 162 of them feature a special teardrop pattern in addition to the basic line design. The tile was manufactured by the American 3-Way Prism Company of Philadelphia. Some of the Rennebohm tiles have been framed and made ready to hang by the Vinery Stained Glass Studio.
Prism glass was a common way of providing free, safe light for interiors in the early part of the 20th century. Frank Lloyd Wright designed 41 patterns for Luxfer, and his prism glass work can be seen over the front window of the Irish Pub at 317 State St.
