There’s No Other Museum In America Quite Like This One In South Carolina
Our neighbors to the north in West Virginia may lay claim to the world’s largest teapot, but they’ve got nothing on South Carolina when it comes to teapots. In fact, we believe the world’s largest teapot collection is sitting right here in the Palmetto State in the charming small town of Elloree. SC.
A quick search on the Internet doles out a few claims from others who say they have the largest collection, but their numbers can’t touch the terrific teapot assemblage amassed by the late Julian J. Boland – who was also the former mayor of Bowman, SC (home of the world’s only UFO Welcome Center).
As if having more teapots than any other human being isn't accomplishment enough, Mr. Boland built a massive teapot around the entrance of this museum - with the door right in the middle of that teapot.
Step through the door and into a teapot bonanza. According to J's Tea-rific Teapot Museum's website, only part of the collection is housed here - some 2,000 teapots.
The collection as a whole is reportedly in the tens of thousands of teapots. We challenge anyone anywhere else to prove they have a teapot collection larger than this one.
The collection includes an international cluster representing at least 20 countries, but it's the teapots from home that get all the love, like this vintage Coca-Cola beauty.
Want to see this tea-rific collection for yourself? As museum curator, Julian Bolard's widow Sybil Bolard maintains the collection. See it by appointment by calling (803)829-2944.
J's Tea-rific Teapot Museum is located at 2734 Cleveland Street, Elloree, SC 29047. Open by appointment only: (803) 829-2944.
Please note: If you Google this museum you may see that Google say’s it’s “permanently closed.” That’s absolutely incorrect. We spoke with Mrs. Boland the day before this article published and it’s not closed, it’s just open by appointment only. The number to call is listed above.
Why not make it a day trip and spend the whole day in Elloree? Do some shopping, have lunch and just unplug. Here’s your itinerary.
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Robin Jarvis is a travel writer and editor for OnlyInYourState.com with a bachelor's degree in Journalism. Her love for travel has taken her to many parts of the world. She's lived in the Carolinas for nearly three decades and currently resides in Charleston. When she's not working, she loves to cook with friends and check out new adventures. General questions and FAM tours: rjarvis@onlyinyourstate.com.
