House of MugsAvery Sisk (1942 - 2023)

Used with permission of the photographer, Billy Reed

Used with permission of the photographer, Billy Reed

Used with permission of the photographer, Billy Reed

Used with permission of the photographer, Billy Reed

Used with permission of the photographer, Billy Reed

Used with permission of the photographer, Billy Reed

Used with permission of the photographer, Billy Reed

Used with permission of the photographer, Billy Reed

Used with permission of the photographer, Billy Reed

Used with permission of the photographer, Billy Reed

Used with permission of the photographer, Billy Reed

Status

Extant

Address

Collettsville, North Carolina, 28645, United States

Visiting Information

The House of Mugs can be found by reaching the tiny hamlet of Collettsville in Caldwell County, about 12 miles west of Lenoir, then following Old Johns River Road, on the left past the Collettsville General Store.

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About the Artist/Site

Instead of the standard brick and mortar surface one usually finds on the exterior of a building, the House of Mugs (also known as the Collettsville Cup House,) favors a more non-traditional approach. As stated in the name, the facade of this North Carolina home is decorated with countless mugs. Brought to fruition by Avery and Doris Sisk, the couple began their collection with a flea-market purchase of a small assortment of coffee mugs. The Sisks began to place the mugs on nails on their front porch, slowly and steadily accumulating more and more mugs over the course of more than 20 years. Since beginning their collection, the Sisks have estimated to have more than 25,000 mugs on display. Though Avery passed away in 2023, the Sisks still welcome visitors to the property, hosting events and encouraging donations. Though the tessellation of mugs appears to be seamless, given they can find an empty nail, the Sisks invite those who make their way to the Mug House to leave behind a mug of their own.

~Nikki Ranney, 2023

Sources:

The House of Mugs – Collettsville, North Carolina - Atlas Obscura

Collettsville, NC - House of Mugs (roadsideamerica.com)

Checking out the House of Mugs in Collettsville – QC Life (wbtv.com)

The Collettsville Cup House (Collettsville, NC) | Strange Carolinas: The Travelogue Of The Offbeat