Discovery Series Ornament – Mississippi

Discovery Series Ornament Mississippi is a mini mug for the culturally rich U.S. state shaped by the Mississippi River, deep musical roots, and a strong sense of Southern heritage.

Mississippi became the 20th state on December 10, 1817, with its name derived from the Ojibwe word meaning “great river.” The territory’s economy developed around cotton plantations using enslaved labor, making it central to the antebellum South and a founding member of the Confederacy. The Civil War devastated Mississippi, followed by decades of Reconstruction, Jim Crow laws, and racial violence that made it a focal point of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s.… Read more

Discovery Series – Boston University

A blog reader notified me about the release of this new mug from Campus Collection. When I saw pictures of the Discovery Series – Boston University mug, I instantly liked the red colors used in the design. I think this colour works particularly well here, although I must say that isn’t always true for other mugs in the collection.

Boston University was founded in 1839 by Methodist ministers as the Newbury Biblical Institute in Newbury, Vermont, before relocating to Boston in 1867 and receiving its university charter in 1869.… Read more

Discovery Series – Oklahoma

The Discovery Series Oklahoma is a mug for “The Sooner State”, where history, land, and grit come together.

Oklahoma became the 46th state on November 16, 1907, after serving as “Indian Territory” where the federal government forcibly relocated dozens of Native American tribes during the 1830s-1850s. The Land Run of 1889 opened former Indian lands to white settlement, with tens of thousands racing to claim plots in a chaotic scramble that gave rise to the “Sooner” nickname for those who entered early.… Read more

Discovery Series Ornament – Wisconsin

The Discovery Series Ornament Wisconsin is a release for the Badger State, known for its lakes, farming roots, and strong sense of community.

Wisconsin became the 30th state on May 29, 1848, after decades as a territory attracting immigrants from Germany, Scandinavia, and Poland who established farms and communities. The state’s name derives from a Native American word meaning “gathering of the waters,” reflecting its abundant rivers and lakes. Wisconsin’s economy flourished through dairy farming, brewing, and manufacturing, earning the nickname “America’s Dairyland” as cheese and milk production became synonymous with the state.… Read more

Discovery Series – Arkansas

Discovery Series Arkansas is a mug for the “The Natural State”, known for its forests, rivers, and deep roots in folk music and outdoor culture.

Arkansas became the 25th state on June 15, 1836, with a name derived from a French interpretation of a Quapaw Indian word meaning “land of downriver people.” The territory’s early economy relied on cotton plantations in the fertile Delta region and timber harvesting in the mountainous north. The discovery of bauxite deposits brought industrialization during World War II, while the 1957 desegregation crisis at Little Rock Central High School thrust Arkansas into the national spotlight.… Read more

Discovery Series Ornament – The Hamptons

This popular summer destination on Long Island, famous for its beaches and seasonal crowd, has never had a mini mug from Starbucks. This is why I was especially excited to pick up this Discovery Series Ornament The Hamptons, earlier this year!

The Hamptons encompass a collection of villages and hamlets on the eastern end of Long Island, New York, with settlement dating back to the 1640s when English colonists established farming and whaling communities. Originally known as Southampton, East Hampton, and surrounding areas, these towns remained agricultural and fishing communities for centuries before transformation began in the late 1800s when wealthy New Yorkers discovered the pristine beaches.… Read more

Starbucks Quietly Fixes Typo on Canadian Discovery Series Boxes

About a year ago, I wrote about a small but noticeable typo on the box of Starbucks’ first Canadian Discovery Series mug. It was the kind of thing most people would miss at a glance, but once you saw it, you couldn’t unsee it. More specifically, the grammatically correct French spelling for the word “Discovery” should be “Découverte”, and not “Decouvérte”. For collectors, details matter, and this one stood out.

At the time, there was no indication that Starbucks was aware of the issue, let alone that it was planning to correct it.… Read more

Discovery Series Ornament – Oklahoma

For some reason, the buffalo image is my favourite detail in the design of the Discovery Series Ornament Oklahoma.

Oklahoma became the 46th state on November 16, 1907, following a unique history as “Indian Territory” where the federal government forcibly relocated dozens of Native American tribes during the 1830s-1850s. The Land Run of 1889 opened former Indian lands to white settlement, with tens of thousands of settlers racing to claim plots in a chaotic scramble that gave Oklahoma its “Sooner” nickname.… Read more

Discovery Series – Toronto

Discovery Series – Toronto is a mug for Canada’s dynamic metropolis, where global culture, iconic skylines, and vibrant neighborhoods come together on the shores of Lake Ontario.

Toronto’s origins trace to 1793 when Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe established the town of York as Upper Canada’s capital. The city grew slowly until the mid-1800s, when railway construction and immigration transformed it into Canada’s commercial center, officially becoming Toronto in 1834. The 20th century brought waves of immigration – initially from Europe, then from around the globe following liberalized immigration policies in the 1960s – creating one of the world’s most multicultural cities.… Read more

Discovery Series Ornament – Arkansas

The Discovery Series Ornament – Arkansas is an espresso mug for the State where rolling hills, crystal-clear rivers, and Southern charm come together in the Natural State.

Arkansas became the 25th state on June 15, 1836, with a name derived from a French interpretation of a Quapaw Indian word meaning “land of downriver people.” The territory’s early economy relied on cotton plantations in the fertile Delta region and later timber harvesting in the mountainous north. Arkansas remained primarily rural and agricultural through much of its history, though the discovery of bauxite and the development of aluminum production during World War II brought industrialization.… Read more

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