Sunday, August 15, 2010
Largest
collection of thermometers - world record set by
Richard T Porter
ONSET, MA, USA -- Richard T. Porter, aka 'The
Thermometer Man', an 83-year-old retired schoolteacher
who runs the Porter Thermometer Museum, has collected 5,200
thermometers since 1978 , setting the world record for the
Largest
collection of thermometers.
Photo: Dick Porter, a retired schoolteacher,
is known around Onset as "The
Thermometer Man." Photo Steve Haines (enlarge
photo)
He was in Ripley’s (Believe It or Not) five
times and Guinness World Records has recognized his collection
when he had 'only' 4,580 pieces in his collection.
They’re not all housed in Onset anymore,
though: Several years ago, Porter sold his prized collection
to Joel N. Myers, the founder and president of AccuWeather.
Thousands of the thermometers went to State College, Pa.,
where AccuWeather is headquartered.
But there’s still plenty left to see
in Porter’s museum. Hundreds of thermometers are on display
in his basement — some on loan from their new owner, some
collected by Porter since the sale — and his quirky little
museum still operates under the same old motto it’s always
had: always open, always free.
Porter
Thermometer Museum |
Address |
49
Zarahemla Rd, Onset, MA |
Directions |
Hwy
25 exit 1. South onto Hwy 28/US 6, then turn south onto
Depot St. Bear left onto Onset Ave. Drive 3/4 mile, then
left onto Zarahemla Rd. [Map] |
Admission |
Free. |
Hours |
Call
first. (Call to verify) |
Phone |
508-295-5504 |
Many of Porter’s thermometers were made
as promotional items. There are thermometers advertising local
businesses (like the bright yellow thermometer for Boston
Banana Co. of Chelsea); an Alaskan radio station (the KIYU
910 AM thermometer from Galena goes all the way down to 100
degrees below zero); soft drinks (a thermometer shaped like
a giant pocket watch says Schweppes Tonic is “Curiously Refreshing
in Any Weather’’); and an array of branded products (Tums,
Jell-O, Marlboro cigarettes).
The devices come from each of the United
States, and all seven continents. He said the idea for
the museum came from his daughter, Janet Minkle, who died
of a brain tumor in 1990 at age 37. She had urged him to do
something with his thermometers.
And so, in the fall of 1993, Porter opened up
his home to the public so they could see his unique collection.
His massive collection has been
featured in travel guides, newspapers, magazines, books, and
TV shows. By his count, he’s given 800 lectures across the
country, and made 70 television appearances.
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Related world records:
Largest
collection of salt-and-pepper shakers -
Dorena Young
Largest
collection of tea caddies -
Graham Brooks
Largest
Rubber Duck Collection -
Charlotte Lee
Largest
Easter Egg Collection - Easter Egg Museum in Poland
Largest
collection of bunny memorabilia - The Bunny Museum
Largest
collection of crab memorabilia - Dr Darren Martin
Largest
toothpaste collection - Dr. Val Kolpakov
Largest
collection of banana related items - Ken Bannister
Largest
Yo-Yo collection - Dr. John Meisenheimer
Largest
Signed Game-Used Jersey Card - Panini America
Largest
Pokémon Collection - Lisa Courtney
Largest
collection of Simpsons memorabilia - Glynne Williams
Largest
collection of miniature chairs - Barbara Hartsfield
Largest
collection of cow-related items - Denise Tubangui
Largest
movie camera collection - Richard LaRiviere
Largest
collection of trolls - Sophie Marie Cross
Sunday, August 15, 2010
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