American Toby Jug Museum
Discover over 8,000 Toby & Character Jugs, a quirky, free museum showcasing unique ceramic art from the 18th century to today.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Museum hours for entry
American Toby Jug Museum
Best Time
Museum hours for entry
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Discover over 8,000 Toby & Character Jugs, a quirky, free museum showcasing unique ceramic art from the 18th century to today.
"This place is magical! Kevin is so friendly. We had a great visit. It's a secret little place in Evanston."
🔔 Ring the Bell!
The door might be locked during hours; use the call button for entry. Friendly staff await!
💸 Donate to Support
Admission is free, but donations are crucial. Bring cash to help keep this gem open!
Quick Facts
Rating
4.4 · 52 reviews
Type
Museum
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Sheer Scale of Faces
Thousands of Toby and Character Jugs fill library-like stacks, showcasing immense variety in size and design.
Artistic & Quirky Designs
From historical figures to cartoon characters, discover jugs that are beautiful, hideous, and masterfully crafted.
Friendly & Passionate Staff
Experience a warm welcome and insightful stories about the collection from dedicated staff members.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
A Hidden Gem Worth Ringing For
Free Admission, Donations Welcome
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
What are some other hidden gems in Chicago's museum scene?
I'm honestly surprised more people don't visit the Money Museum at the Federal Reserve! Having grown up in Pleasant Prairie, WI as a kid, one of my favorite activities with friends was visiting here on weekends. Not a far drive (a little an hour) and we would spend hours…
🔔 Ring the Bell!
The door might be locked during hours; use the call button for entry. Friendly staff await!
💸 Donate to Support
Admission is free, but donations are crucial. Bring cash to help keep this gem open!
First time there, two days on my own: weird/unique museums and best whiskey bars?
Hi all! I'm a busy mom with two young kids and I get my first solo trip in 7 years so I'm really excited! Going to Chicago for a business meeting and I'm adding two days for tourism. I would love recs for: --bizarre, tiny, unique, or strange museums (I live in a city so I have…
Free cool museums to check out?
A bit north in Evanston, but American Toby Jug Museum is a unique gem!
🤯 Prepare for Volume
The collection is vast! Expect thousands of jugs packed densely, a truly impressive sight.
🧐 Appreciate the Details
Look for subtle variations in size and design among similar jugs.
The Weirdest Places In Chicago (Big Joe's, Chicago Magic Lounge, and Woolly Mammoth/Andersonville, Leather Archives & Museum/Rogers Park, The American Toby Jug Museum/Evanston)
Calling the Leather Archives and Museum "weird" is....bad
Tips
from all over the internet
🔔 Ring the Bell!
The door might be locked during hours; use the call button for entry. Friendly staff await!
💸 Donate to Support
Admission is free, but donations are crucial. Bring cash to help keep this gem open!
🤯 Prepare for Volume
The collection is vast! Expect thousands of jugs packed densely, a truly impressive sight.
🧐 Appreciate the Details
Look for subtle variations in size and design among similar jugs.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise the American Toby Jug Museum as a delightful and surprising hidden gem. The sheer scale and unique variety of the Toby and Character Jug collection, coupled with the incredibly friendly and knowledgeable staff, make for a memorable free experience. While the museum's operation relies on donations, the overwhelming sentiment is that it's a worthwhile visit for anyone seeking something truly different.
"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!"
Diana M
"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!"
Michael Huntley
"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."
Kest Schwartzman
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The museum is located in Evanston, Illinois. While specific public transport details aren't widely shared, it's described as a 'secret little place in Evanston'. Driving is likely the most straightforward method, with parking information best confirmed locally.
Information on accessibility is limited, but the museum is described as a 'little place'. Visitors should contact the museum directly for specific accessibility inquiries.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
The museum is open on Tuesdays from 12 PM to 5 PM. It's recommended to check their official channels for any unexpected changes.
No, admission to the American Toby Jug Museum is free! However, visitors are strongly encouraged to leave a donation to support the museum's operations.
If the door appears locked during stated hours, use the call button. Staff are usually prompt to let visitors in.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
You'll find an astonishing collection of over 8,000 Toby and Character Jugs, spanning from the 18th century to the present day. The sheer volume and variety, featuring everything from animals to historical figures, are a major draw.
Many visitors suggest spending an hour or more to fully appreciate the collection. The density and detail of the jugs can easily captivate you for a significant amount of time.
Yes, the museum is highly recommended for any age. Its unique and sometimes 'weird' nature makes it an engaging experience for everyone.
The museum is described as magical and a 'secret little place'. You can feel the passion of the collectors and appreciate the artsy nature of the Toby Jugs.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
The American Toby Jug Museum is a specialized collection and does not have onsite dining facilities. Visitors may need to explore dining options in the surrounding Evanston area.
📸 📸 Photography
While not explicitly stated, most small museums allow personal photography for non-commercial use. It's always best to ask staff upon arrival to confirm their policy.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit