American Toby Jug Museum

Museum · Evanston

American Toby Jug Museum

Museum · Evanston

1

910 Chicago Ave, Evanston, IL 60202

Photos

American Toby Jug Museum by null
American Toby Jug Museum by christianisgroovy (Atlas Obscura User) (Used with Permission)
American Toby Jug Museum by RBAR (Atlas Obscura User)
American Toby Jug Museum by christianisgroovy (Atlas Obscura User) (Used with Permission)
American Toby Jug Museum by christianisgroovy (Atlas Obscura User) (Used with Permission)
American Toby Jug Museum by christianisgroovy (Atlas Obscura User) (Used with Permission)
American Toby Jug Museum by Image capture July 2015 (© 2016 Google)
American Toby Jug Museum by britcol (Atlas Obscura User)
American Toby Jug Museum by null
American Toby Jug Museum by null
American Toby Jug Museum by null
American Toby Jug Museum by null
American Toby Jug Museum by null
American Toby Jug Museum by null
American Toby Jug Museum by null
American Toby Jug Museum by null
American Toby Jug Museum by null
American Toby Jug Museum by null
American Toby Jug Museum by null
American Toby Jug Museum by null
American Toby Jug Museum by null
American Toby Jug Museum by null
American Toby Jug Museum by null
American Toby Jug Museum by null
American Toby Jug Museum by null
American Toby Jug Museum by null
American Toby Jug Museum by null

Highlights

Nestled in Evanston, the American Toby Jug Museum boasts a quirky collection of over 8,000 jugs, each with a story and personality of its own.  

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910 Chicago Ave, Evanston, IL 60202 Get directions

tobyjugmuseum.com
@americantobyjugmuseum

Information

Static Map

910 Chicago Ave, Evanston, IL 60202 Get directions

+1 877 862 9687
tobyjugmuseum.com
@americantobyjugmuseum

Features

restroom
wheelchair accessible restroom

Last updated

Jul 9, 2025

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@atlasobscura

"The American Toby Jug Museum, not far from downtown Chicago, houses the eccentric collection of Stephen M. Mullins, who bought his first jug as a kid at Canadian summer camp. It’s taken him over seven decades, but he’s since amassed over 8,000 of them – the largest Toby Jug collection in the world. Toby Jugs originated in the mid-18th century in England, and are loosely defined as pottery jugs crafted and painted into the form of a figure, usually male, and usually imbibing.  Strictly speaking, only those that are full body figures are “Tobys”, but the collection includes others that are heads of recognizable individuals or character types – everything from pirates to fisherman, Churchill to Hitler. These are officially known as “character jugs” to the serious collector, and no collector is more serious than Mullins. The history of the origin of Toby Jugs is as fuzzy as the morning after drinking from one, but there are a few popular theories. One dates to around 1760 when the first jugs started appearing in English taverns. It seems a hale and hearty chap named Toby Fillpot, much beloved by his fellow sots at the bar, passed away unexpectedly. His drinking buddies somehow got hold of Toby’s ashes and had them fashioned into earthenware shaped like their chubby friend, so he’d never be far from his favorite spot at the bar. There are other, more plausible, theories, but variations on the story of Toby Fillpot keep popping up.   The American Toby Jug Museum has literally thousands of examples of “classic” Toby Jugs (including both the largest and second largest in the world), as well as more modern takes on the art form. After seeing the rows and rows of jugs and mugs you might find yourself unable to resist the urge to drink straight from the heads of The Beatles, Captain Kirk, Marilyn Monroe or Barack Obama." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

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Diana M

Google
The American Toby Jug Museum took us pleasantly by surprise. We rang the doorbell during museum hours (Tuesdays 12-5) and were greeted by such a friendly worker who gave us a brief history of toby jugs and then let us explore the many aisles of jugs. There are jugs that will appeal to any and everyone from animals to historical and political figures to cartoon characters. And visiting is FREE! This hidden gem is definitely a spot worth visiting at least once!

Kest Schwartzman

Google
I do not think I can convey to you the SCALE of this place. I mean. It's not very big. But it has SO MANY FACES. think library stacks, but filled with mugs at the same density as the backroom of a research library, all in glass fronted, mirror backed, cases. Often there are many of the same one, each in a slightly different size, or maybe with some slight variation that made both worth collecting. Some are beautiful, some are hideous, some are absolute masterworks, others came out of pisspour molds and didn't even have their seams addressed. This is a massive, and impressive, collection.

Michael Huntley

Google
A hidden gem. Sometimes, during hours, the door may be locked, but use the call button and they will let you in. The docent was so nice explained the Toby Jugs and mugs and colle tion. Truly fascinating and fun!

Ryan Chatterjee

Google
Amazing, unique, and incredibly weird little place. Not many places like it I've been to in my life, probably not many else in the world. I would highly recommend for any age. Please visit and leave a donation so it stays open longer!!

yiqing li

Google
This place is magical! Kevin is so friendly. He told us about the story behind the collections and the museum. We had a great visit. It's a secret little place in Evanston. Fun to be there for an hour or more. You could feel the passion of the collectors while appreciating the artsy Toby Jugs. It's free admission but unfortunately I didn't bring cash otherwise I would love to donate. I hope this review can help them gain more awareness. As an Evanston resident, I am happy to see such a cute little museum in our neighborhood.

Lissette Lau

Google
We totally didn't notice this museum until one of the staff told as about it as we walked by it! Very happy we went in. It's a collection of about 8000 Toby jugs of all kinds. Definitely enjoyable.

Jacqueline Horn

Google
Lovely little place in downtown Evanston. Took my mom who is a collector and she had a great time! Huge collection and organized well. The staff was super friendly and responsive via phone and email.

Theresa Bulander

Google
During Tuesday hours at 12:45: Buzzed the doorbell twice. Called the phone number. No answer. Sad, because our daughter loves Toby Jugs and made sure to visit during the one day of open hours.