Tea potty couple’s cosy plan

A couple from Los Angeles own the world’s largest collection of teapots - and their collection could help solve unemployment.

Sonny and Gloria Kamm’s obsession with china could be key to helping the deprived community of Sparta in North Carolina.

They are set to open a museum of teapots to raise money for the unemployed.

We wanted to find a community where an unusual museum could make a difference

The North Carolina town of Sparta has only 1,819 inhabitants many of whom are unemployed.

Sonny said: ‘Small museums can’t handle big collections and big general art museums don’t want to.

‘They have an obligation to show a variety of material. Museums nowadays are not willing to commit to what and how much they will display unless you self-fund it. If you self-fund it, why not just build your own?

‘We wanted to find a community where an unusual museum could make a difference.

‘Alleghany County, of which Sparta is the county seat, is an economic black hole and it has recently lost four of its five largest employers taking away 1,500 jobs.

‘We feel our collection can make a difference here. We want it to d good.’

Their collection spans some 20 years and is worth £540,000.

They have even filled a separate apartment next to their home and called it ‘teapot central’ to contain their beloved collection.

The couple have also agreed to pay the salary of the curator of the museum.

It is hoped the museum will draw visitors and tourists back into the region to help improve the economy and provide more jobs.

(this article was taken from metro.co.uk)