American Toby Jug Museum image

American Toby Jug Museum

Tourist attraction Museum

Museum featuring over 8,000 Toby & Character Jugs from the 18th century through today. People often mention museum, jugs, collection, Toby, open, great,


Address

910 Chicago Ave, Evanston, IL 60202, United States

Website

www.tobyjugmuseum.com

Contact

+1 877-862-9687

Rating on Google Maps

4.30 (50 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Sunday: Closed
  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: 12 to 5 pm
  • Wednesday: Closed
  • Thursday: Closed
  • Friday: Closed
  • Saturday: Closed

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: museum (12) jugs (9) collection (8) Toby (6) open (6) great (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Diana M. 5 months ago on 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!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ryan C. 9 months ago on 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!!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Michael H. 10 months ago on 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!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Leah S. 7 years ago on Google
    The museum itself was great. We took a group of residents from my assisted living community to the museum and they thoroughly enjoyed the collection. However, our initial experience was stressful and rude. I had researched the museum on their website to make sure a private tour was not necessary and that a private tour did not need to be set up for a group (we had 7 people). The website said such tours were available but not that it was necessary. So we showed up and the women who worked the front desk was rude to my residents, to my driver and told them they did not have a reservation so she wasn't going to let them in. I had to speak to her on the phone, where she was just as rude to me, and convince her to let me residents walk through the museum. She then sent the bus down to the handicap entrance for drop off, told the driver she would be down to let them in and then never came. My driver had to drive back to the front entrance to find someone to let the residents in the handicap entrance after 15 minutes of waiting. It was unorganized and disappointing for my residents who started off their outing with this unpleasant experience. Once they got through the museum they had a great time and said it was a wonderful collection but were very upset with the way it was handled in the beginning.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Nadine W. 6 years ago on Google
    We went here and I wasn't interested and didn't want to go but after entering the museum I was blown away. I loved this place and was amazed. I want to bring visitors here as well as return myself. The collection is so interesting and expansive. The jugs are more like pitchers than jugs but they are all made to look like different people from history. people from the arts, science, politics, tv, movies. I thought it was a wonderful collection. Well worth a visit. We spent about 20 mins. here but I want to go back and spend an hour or more. I think you would see something different every time you visit.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Theresa B. 7 months ago on 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.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jacqueline H. 11 months ago on 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.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Kristy M. 2 years ago on Google
    Google says they are open. Their website makes it appear to be open, but they are closed. Looks like a great place. Sucks that we put $2 in a parking meter only to find it was closed.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Lissette L. 4 years ago on 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.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 John M. 4 years ago on Google
    Wow, a collection of mugs (or jugs?) spanning 100+ years. Very impressive and fun experience.

  • 5/5 Carrie W. 6 years ago on Google
    This place is mad weird but very cool

  • 5/5 R.Paul H. 6 years ago on Google
    Jugs, not mugs, for enjoying a pot "philled" with booze, but you can only look. See the history of the world in 8000 jugs and counting...

  • 5/5 Dena T. 7 years ago on Google
    Truly delightful! A gem of a museum. A surprisingly vast collection of Toby jugs, well curated and attractively showcased. The docent was pleasant and knowledgeable. We went as a multigenerational party of 12, and the kids were just as fascinated as the adults. We spent about an hour there and had good fun spotting eclectic and famous characters. Well worth the experience.

  • 5/5 Matt B. 8 years ago on Google
    This is truly a hidden gem - lived in the area all my life and had never heard of it, but this is a great place to spend an afternoon! Good for kids and adults, just be sure to check the hours before coming (they're not open every day). If you want to make it a full day check out Dave's Rock Shop as well, they're just on the other side of the tracks.

  • 5/5 yiqing l. 4 years ago on 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.

  • 2/5 Gregory P. 3 years ago on Google
    Despite the recording, the museum was not open when I went

  • 5/5 Drew W. 5 years ago on Google
    Incredible experience. Couldn't recommend enough!!


Call +1 877-862-9687 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible toilet

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