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 due to close its doors on July 31, 2026, 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.
In the final week of what’s become a treasured heritage and cultural asset in the city, we’re taking a look back through our hundreds of archive photos from over the decades, from visits from former PM Boris Johnson to dancing on the roof.
Here’s the first in our series of galleries.
9. Marking 100,000 visitors
The 100,000th visitor of the year to the newly revamped National Glass Centre in 2013. Alfie Leadbitter (5) is presented with a memento of the occasion, a special glass pumpkin by former NGC Director James Bustard. | North News & Pictures Ltd
10. Up on the roof
Dragonfly Dance Project hosted a dance session with local schoolchildren. | Sunderland Echo
11. A night to remember
Maximo Park performing on the roof for Channel 4 music show Transmission in 2007. The Stereophonics and The Streets also performed at the venue that night. | Channel 4
12. A much-loved Wearside backdrop
The Black Diamond of Durham in the shade of the National Glass Centre. | Sunderland Echo