Museum of Salt and Pepper Shakers

The Museum of Salt and Pepper Shakers in Gatlinburg holds around 20,000 sets of shakers sorted by themes including Christmas, plastic, and Americana designs. The collection is displayed across organized sections that group pieces by their material and style.

The museum opened in 2002 based on Belgian archaeologist Andrea Ludden's personal collection that she started gathering in 1984. What began as a passion for collecting evolved into this public exhibition.

The collection shows craftsmanship traditions from many countries, with shakers made of glass, ceramic, wood, and metal that reflect different ways people have decorated everyday items. Walking through, you notice how various cultures approached the same simple purpose in completely different ways.

The museum has a gift shop where you can purchase shaker sets, and guided tours are offered throughout the day. Plan to spend a couple of hours exploring the different collection sections at a comfortable pace.

A dedicated section explores the Morton Salt brand and how their invention of non-clumping salt changed the design of shakers. This connection between a product innovation and everyday objects reveals a lesser-known chapter of consumer history.

Location: Gatlinburg

Inception: 2002

Phone: +18887781802

Email: spmuseumtn@gmail.com

Website: http://thesaltandpeppershakermuseum.com

GPS coordinates: 35.71598,-83.50248

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:05