MEMBER COLLECTIONS

 

Collecting souvenirs while visiting all 50 states can make your journey even more memorable! Each item serves as a tangible reminder of where you've been and your experiences. A collection can spark great travel stories with friends and family. Watching your collection grow is a fun way to track your progress toward visiting all 50 states and build your sense of accomplishment. Choosing a specific item to collect adds an extra layer of adventure to each trip.

 

  • Magnets, Lapel Pins
  • Stickers on luggage/water bottle/laptop/poster board/toolbox
  • Photographs by state signs, murals, state-related photo frames
  • Christmas Tree ornaments (sometimes a key chain has to work!)
  • T-shirts, Hats, make a quilt out of t-shirts
  • Patches on jackets, blankets, travel bags
  • Rock/sand/dirt.  Write in marker on the rock where it was found.
  • Jewelry, charms, pressed pennies
  • Keychains, shot glasses, dish towels, coasters
  • Baseballs, Walking stick medallions
  • Books, Good Night Books, state history, pictures
  • Art/greeting card size, bookmarks, coasters, pencils, playing cards
  • Bottlecaps or wine corks
  • Snowglobes, figurines, rubber ducks, piggy banks

 

 

CHRISTMAS TREE ORNAMENTS - This isn't an ordinary Christmas Tree! It is one full of travel memories! Gary and Laura Crissman collect ornaments as they travel to create a 'Travel Tree'. Ornaments can sometimes be difficult to find, but key chains work too! The All Fifty Club Store sells an 'I've Been to All 50' to complete your collection. Buy here. 

 

T-SHIRTS AND QUILT – Laura and Vince Bobin have a stunning quilt commemorating their journey to all 50 states, crafted by Laura's mother, Jessica Vance Schuster. Jessica began creating the quilt in 2004, as they embarked on their travels, adding a square for each state with the year it was visited.

Make a quilt out of T-shirts collected from every state. Vendors like Project Repat will put it together for you.

 

PICTURE FRAME AND PHOTO - Snapping a photo in every state is a must, but displaying it in a special frame makes it even more meaningful! Ryan and Christy Johnson had the clever idea to create a "Travel Wall," where they continue to add photos from new states and countries. It’s a fantastic conversation starter for visitors! While many souvenir shops sell themed frames, you can also craft your own using materials from each state—like sand, seashells, or other local finds.

 

MAGNETS - Picking up a magnet in each state is an inexpensive, easy souvenir to build into a collection. Ed Sibal has an impressive refrigerator magnet collection.  Besides each, state travelers can collect magnets from favorite places, cities, parks, and endless possibilities.  Thank you to Ed Sibal for sharing a picture of his collection.

 

MAGNETS - Teresa Hanula and her pup Leonard Lee also have a wonderful display on their fridge!  Instagram - Live Love Leonard Lee

 

MUGS -  Bruce DeGroff shared this picture of his mug collection.  If you feel the need to travel but can't, grab a mug fill it up, and reminisce about your visit there!

 

THIMBLES -  Maureen Sweeney collected a thimble from each state.  (along with eating/drinking and taking a picture of the welcome sign in each state).

 

SPOONS -  Bob Rainville has a souvenir spoon collection, mounted in a special wooden spoon holder in the shape of the United States. There are 50 spoons in the holder, each purchased in, and named after, each of the 50 states. They are in alphabetical order, left to right, and top to bottom.  It took him over 40 years to complete the set. Well done!

 

SPOONS -  Cameron Meier has also collected spoons from all 50 states.

 

POSTCARDS -  Picking up a postcard is an easy, inexpensive souvenir from each state. Some members have gone the extra mile and mailed them home from each state. How cool to have a postmark from all 50!

 

PRESSED PENNIES -  Penny pressing machines have been around since the late 1800's and can be found in every state in the darndest places!  Just pack some shiny pennies and bring some quarters.  Get a pressed penny folder on Amazon.