After millions of visitors, countless artworks and events and even more memories, National Glass Centre closes its doors today.
Campaigners are still fighting passionately to save the NGC, which honours 1350 years of glassmaking on Wearside.
It’s become a real landmark for the city, but at less than 30 years old is closing today after owners University of Sunderland announced three years ago that they could no longer afford to repair or fund the upkeep of the major visitor centre and its glassmaking facilities.
You can read the latest from the campaigners here.
As part of a series of lookback features on this cultural and heritage asset on the banks of the Wear, here’s some more photos from our archive over the decades, from Royal Visits to some real glass acts.
1. A right Royal day out
HRH Princess Anne attends the opening day of the Tall Ships Races in Sunderland in 2018, visiting the National Glass Centre whilst also meeting volunteers, artists and sailing crews on the River Wear. | North News & Pictures
2. Checking out the artworks
Then Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott visiting in 2004 | Sunderland Echo
3. On the campaign trail
Then Prime Minister Gordon Brown visiting on the campaign trail in 2010. | Sunderland Echo
4. Solar eclipse
Thousands of people over Wearside witnessed a partial solar eclipse in August 1999. Amateur astronomer Ian Whiteley, provided first class viewing outside the National Glass Centre. With him, left to right: Fiona Brown, Claire Brown and Louise Harrison. | Sunderland Echo