Travelers on an American road trip have become accustomed to stopping off and visiting attractions that claim to be “World’s Largest [insert attraction here].” Chester, Tennessee offers one such attraction – The World’s Largest Teapot Museum.
The trail begins on the other side of the bridge and quickly becomes an intricate series of stone staircases, leading up to a pavilion offering magnificent views.
1. Parking
When thinking of large collections of family heirlooms and treasures, museums in Europe or New York City usually come to mind. But one West Tennessee roadside attraction boasts one of the world’s largest teapot collections!
The “World’s Largest Teapot”, also known as the Chester Teapot, was first installed in 1938 to promote local pottery. Standing at 14 feet high and 14 feet wide, it stands off an onramp along U.S. Highway 30 near Rock Springs Park (1897-1970).
Julian Boland estimates his and his wife Sybil’s collection to number in the thousands of teapots. While some were purchased directly, others have come as gifts or have come on long journeys – each unique 20-foot blue entranceway features a spout, handle, and lid to ensure guests enjoy an optimal experience at this museum which offers free parking nearby! Open daily; small admission fee applied but free parking options nearby available to visitors.
2. Trailhead
People often think of museums in Europe and New York City when considering large collections and family heirlooms; but one small town in West Virginia stands out as home to an equally impressive showcase: it houses the world’s largest collection of teapots.
The World’s Largest Teapot began its life as an advertisement barrel for Hires Root Beer before it was moved to Chester, WV in 1938 and outfitted with a spout and handle to become an unforgettable roadside attraction – serving both as concession stand and souvenir shop over many years.
The teapot can be found near an onramp on U.S. Route 30, just north of Hancock County in Chester. Parking at Brooke Hills Park and then walking up its paved road leads directly to its trailhead is recommended for optimal viewing of this unique attraction.
3. Hike
The Teapot Museum can be found 84 miles outside Memphis in a rural town on a small side street and deserves to be taken into account if traveling through this part of Tennessee.
The “World’s Largest Teapot” began its life as an advertising barrel for Hires Root Beer in Pennsylvania. William Devon bought and modified it into an eye-catching roadside attraction by adding a spout and handle to create an eye-catching roadside attraction which sold souvenirs and refreshments outside his pottery outlet store.
Recently, the museum underwent major expansion and renovation to accommodate its ever-increasing collection of teapots from all over the world. Visitors can now view them all together in a setting both beautiful and quirky – courtesy of current owner Penny Garrett’s vision – leaving visitors in awe and wonder. Proceeds from the museum go directly towards charity including All Paws animal rescue and food programs for elderly pet-caring elderly people.
4. Views
When we think of large collections and family heirlooms, our minds often wander towards museums in Europe or New York City – but in West Tennessee lies something truly spectacular!
The Chester Teapot began life as an enormous wooden Hogshead barrel for Hire’s Root Beer that William Babe Devon purchased in Pennsylvania and shipped home to Chester as a promotional gimmick promoting its pottery industry. Standing 14 feet high by 14 feet wide with its distinctive handle and spout, this giant pot can be found off U.S. Highway 30 near Rock Springs Park where William Babe Devon once worked.
At City Hall in Amesbury is housed the world’s largest collection of porcelain “veilleuses-theieres,” or night light teapots, donated by Dr. Fredrick C. Freed – an expert gynecology professor who searched antique shops for such beautiful pieces – who in turn donated them as donations.
5. Cave
The world’s largest teapot stands 14 feet high and wide (roughly two stories). Known as William Babe Devon’s masterpiece, it was constructed in 1938 using a giant wooden hogshead barrel from Hires Root Beer of Pennsylvania to promote Chester’s pottery industry. After installing lid, handle and spout into this structure to turn it into an enormous teapot, snacks and souvenirs could be sold inside of it.
The museum boasts an exquisite collection of antique teapots known as Veilleuses-theieres – which are considered works of art. Not just the typical blue and gray enamelware teapots available at dime stores; rather these rare examples come from all corners of the globe and span many periods in history.
Each week at the Museum is showcased an admired teapot as part of its exhibits and entry fee includes admission to both museum and tearooms; opening hours for this attraction range between 10 am to 5 pm daily.
6. Climbing
Messner spends much of his free time outside mountain climbing dedicating it to museum collections dedicated to climbing. Corones, designed by Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid and dedicated to art and culture of mountaineering is his most recent venture in this pursuit.
It sits amidst a manicured lawn between an elevated US 30 on-ramp and the site of a former amusement park in Chester, West Virginia – an isolated sliver that stands as different from Ohio as Haiti is from Dominican Republic.
Take the paved road into the museum, pay the admission fee (TWD 80) and head uphill on the trail. A short hike up a series of stone staircases brings you to Teapot Mountain; its views only get better as you ascend its slopes.