YPSILANTI, Mich. – It's the only museum in the world devoted to international dinnerware and it's debuting at the Ladies Literary Club in Ypsilanti
"They get to see things that surprise them here. They think it's grandma's dishes and we have grandma's dishes, but then we have everything else made of all different materials," said Margaret Carney, who owns the collection.
Items are made from a range of materials including slipcast silicon carbide, glass, porcelain and paper.
"The thing I like best about dinnerware is that it's kind of a window into other peoples cultures and our own culture. It's memories for people. Meals they've eaten. Particular items they used to eat with," said Carney.
They have cardboard for Chinese takeout and thousand year old bowl from the sung dynasty.
There's even dinnerware that seems like it's from out of this world.
"It looks beautiful under a blacklight. It looks beautiful in every way, except if you were to pour something in it and serve it, it wouldn't be a very nice thing to do because it's radio active," said Carney.
Some see dinner ware as simply holders of hold food or drink. Margaret sees art, history, and pop culture.
"It was exhausting, but it's been a lot of fun," said Carney.
So the next time you say "lets eat", consider what your eating on.
The exhibition in Ypsilanti runs until May 17, but Margaret hopes to find a permanent home for the exhibition in downtown Ann Arbor.
For more information about the Dinnerware Museum click here.