This summer, the world’s largest teapot will be celebrated in Chester, West Virginia on National Tea Day. Originally a giant root beer barrel in Imperial, Pennsylvania, the teapot was brought to West Virginia in 1938 by local entrepreneur Babe Devon. Devon owned a pottery business along Carolina Avenue, now the Lincoln Highway, and converted the barrel into a teapot to advertise his business. The Chester, East Liverpool, Ohio area was once known as the pottery capital of America, with over 200 potteries in the area.
The teapot eventually moved to the grounds of the old Rock Springs amusement park next to the Route 30 Bypass. It has undergone several restorations over the years and is celebrated each August with Teapot Day in Chester to raise funds for its upkeep. Measuring 14 feet high and 14 feet wide, the teapot could hold over 13,000 gallons of tea. The teapot symbolizes the region’s pride in its industrial past and represents the legacy of the many potteries that once thrived in the area.
Teapot Day will take place on August 10th this year, allowing locals and visitors to appreciate the historical significance and unique charm of this iconic landmark. The event is an opportunity for people to come together and celebrate this national holiday while also supporting a great cause for preserving an important piece of history in our community.
