The American Toby Jug Museum is a hidden gem in Evanston, IL. It houses over 8,000 Toby and Character jugs in over 100 cabinets. It is the largest collection of its kind in the entire world. The museum traces the development of the Toby Jug and the Character Jug. This development spans from its origin in the mid 18th Century into the present 21st Century. Major sub-collections include over 300 antique Toby Jugs.

The museum displays complete collections from over one hundred fifty 20th Century makers. It also boasts the world’s largest collection of more than 1,500 Royal Doulton Character and Toby Jugs and Derivatives.

The museum showcases the World’s largest Toby (40 inches tall), smallest Toby (3/8 inch), and certainly one of the oldest (c. 1760).

It is a fascinating stop to view a truly astonishing and quirky collection! Endless displays in case after case!

Stephen Mullins, the museums founder, is the chairman of a real estate investment firm in Evanston, IL. He began collecting in 1947. A camp counselor in Canada enticed him with a Royal Doulton brochure. He spent the balance of his camp candy allowance, all of nine dollars, to buy six small character jugs. This passion for collecting Character and Toby jugs began more than six decades ago. It has led to the establishment of the American Toby Jug Museum.

Today the collection numbers over 8,000 and is the largest collection of Toby and Character Jugs in the world.  He has co-authored two books. One is Toby & Character Jugs of the 20th Century. The other is A Century of Royal Doulton Character & Toby Jugs, released in 2008. 

This collection was SO very fun to see! Check it out next time you are in Evanston, IL.

What is to coolest niche collection you’ve seen?