Posted in Illinois Fun Facts, State Pride March 22, 2023 by

It’s Bizarre To Think That Illinois Is Home To The World’s Largest Collection Of Pin Buttons, But It’s True

Illinois is known for a few things: its corn, being the home state of Abraham Lincoln, and Chicago. But did you know it’s also home to the world’s largest 8-track collection, world’s largest laundromat, world’s largest catsup bottle, world’s largest bounce house, and an entire town filled with some of the world’s largest everyday objects? The Prairie State may not be so boring after all, eh? Well, we can now add one more title to that list with the world’s largest pin button collection in Chicago, Illinois.

The Busy Beaver Button Museum, located at 3407 W. Armitage Ave., was crowned the Guinness World Record-holder for the largest museum display of pin badges on the planet in 2022.
world's largest pin button collection in Chicago Illinois
Busy Beaver Button Co./Google
The museum has more than 9,000 pin-back buttons on display, with thousands more on hand — plus other historical artifacts and information.
Button Museum/Facebook
Pin buttons have long been synonymous with political campaigns, and the museum's display doesn't disappoint when it comes to its large collection.
Button Museum/Facebook
Its "Causes" display is another popular area of the museum.
Button Museum/Facebook
The museum's sibling founders said they founded the museum "to show how people commemorated noteworthy times in their lives by creating and collecting these wearable mementos."
Button Museum/Facebook
https://www.buttonmuseum.org/about
Pin-back buttons date all the way back to 1896 and have been used as a form of self-expression from the serious to the silly.
Button Museum/Facebook
The museum also highlights different methods of displaying the pins, like this unique tapestry.
Button Museum/Facebook
The museum is located inside the Busy Beaver Button Co.'s office, where they also make their own custom buttons.
Busy Beaver Button Co./Google

Would you visit the world’s largest pin button collection in Chicago, Illinois? What kind of pins would you want to see displayed most? Have you ever been to another “world’s largest” record-holding site in Illinois? Tell us in the comments! And make sure to check out the museum’s website and Facebook page for info and updates!

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Address: Busy Beaver Button Co., 3407 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, USA