Discovery Series – St. Louis

The Discovery Series St. Louis is a mug for “Gateway to the West”.

St. Louis’s history begins with its founding in 1764 by French fur traders Pierre Laclède and Auguste Chouteau. Named after King Louis IX of France, the city became a crucial river port and launching point for westward expansion during the 19th century. The Louisiana Purchase of 1803 and the Lewis and Clark Expedition that departed from St. Louis in 1804 cemented its role as America’s gateway. From hosting the 1904 World’s Fair to becoming a major manufacturing and brewing center, St.… Read more

Discovery Series – Arizona

Discovery Series – Arizona is a mug for a state shaped by Indigenous civilizations, Spanish exploration, frontier settlement, mining booms, and the growth of desert cities that attracted new residents throughout the twentieth century. Long before statehood in 1912, the region was home to remarkable cultures such as the Hohokam and Ancestral Puebloans, whose canal systems and architectural sites still impress visitors today. When railroads and copper mining expanded, Arizona’s towns grew quickly, eventually building the diverse economy that connects its ancient past with its modern identity.… Read more

Discovery Series – Montana

Discovery Series Montana is a mug for the Treasure State.

Montana’s history as the 41st state begins with its admission to the Union on November 8, 1889, though the region’s story stretches back to the Lewis and Clark expedition of 1805-1806. The discovery of gold in the 1860s brought waves of prospectors and settlers, transforming the territory from Native American lands into mining camps and cattle ranching country. From the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876 to the copper mining boom in Butte, Montana’s past is marked by conflict, extraction, and the enduring presence of vast wilderness that continues to define its character today.… Read more

Discovery Series – New Orleans

I can’t believe it has been a year since I reviewed the ornament from the Big Easy. It is time to take a look at the design of the Discovery Series New Orleans mug.

New Orleans’ history stretches back to 1718 when French colonists founded the city along a strategic bend in the Mississippi River. The city passed through French, Spanish, and French hands again before the Louisiana Purchase of 1803 brought it into the United States. This multicultural heritage created a unique Creole culture that blends French, Spanish, African, Caribbean, and American influences.… Read more

Discovery Series – North Dakota

I recently reviewed the ornament from The Peace Garden State, where wide skies meet endless possibilities. Discovery Series North Dakota is its big brother.

North Dakota’s story reaches deep into the past, shaped first by the Indigenous nations who lived on these plains for thousands of years, including the Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara, Lakota, and Dakota peoples. Their agricultural villages, trade networks, and earth-lodge settlements formed the earliest foundations of the region. Europeans arrived in the 18th century, drawn by fur-trade routes stretching along the Missouri River, and the land eventually became part of the United States through the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.… Read more

Discovery Series – Louisiana

Yesterday we reviewed the ornament, today let’s do the same for the Discovery Series Louisiana mug.

Louisiana’s history begins long before it became a state in 1812. The region was originally home to many Indigenous nations, including the Choctaw, Houma, and Chitimacha peoples. It later became a strategic French territory, ceded to Spain, then returned to France before being sold to the United States in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. Over time, Louisiana earned the nickname “The Pelican State,” shaped by its river culture, Creole heritage, and unique blend of French, African, Caribbean, and American influences.… Read more

Discovery Series – San Diego

Discovery Series San Diego is a mug for a city that started as the first Spanish mission and settlement in California back in the 1700s. Over time, it grew into a relaxed coastal city shaped by the ocean, military history, and a steady flow of new residents. Today it is known for its beaches, mild weather, and a laid-back lifestyle that blends different cultures into one easy rhythm. It is a place where everyday life feels tied to the water and the outdoors.… Read more

Discovery Series – British Columbia

Discovery Series British Columbia is a mug for the Canadian Province which has a history shaped by Indigenous peoples, rugged landscapes, and the Pacific coastline. Long before it joined Confederation in 1871, First Nations communities lived across its forests, islands, and mountains with deep cultural and environmental knowledge. The arrival of European explorers and the fur trade brought rapid change to the region. Gold rushes, railroads, and coastal ports later fueled its growth and diversity. Today, British Columbia stands as a blend of natural wonder, outdoor adventure, and vibrant cultural identity.… Read more

Discovery Series – Texas A&M University

Discovery Series – Texas A&M is a mug for a university, founded in 1876 as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, the state’s first public institution of higher learning. It was originally an all-male military school and part of the Morrill Act system that established land-grant universities across the nation. Over the years, it evolved into one of the largest and most respected universities in the United States. Its traditions, loyalty, and sense of community have remained deeply rooted in its agricultural and military beginnings.… Read more

Discovery Series – Vancouver

Discovery Series Vancouver is a mug for a city that started as a small settlement called Granville, which then grew into one of Canada’s most vibrant cities. Its location between the Pacific Ocean and the Coast Mountains made it a key port and trading center. The city’s growth accelerated with the arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway, linking it to the rest of the country. Over the years, Vancouver became known for its multicultural population, outdoor lifestyle, and environmental focus. Today, it stands as a gateway to the Pacific and one of the most livable cities in the world.… Read more

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