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Button King Museum

SC PICTURE PROJECT 4 Comments

SC Picture Project / Lee County / Button King Museum

Sadly, Dalton Stevens – “The Button King” – died on November 21, 2016 at the age of 86. The museum is now open only occasionally.

This roadside attraction in Bishopville was created by the self-proclaimed Button King, Dalton Stevens. Stevens began his unusual hobby while suffering from insomnia a few decades ago. He decided to distract himself from sleepless nights by sewing buttons on a suit and ended up with his first masterpiece – a suit of 16,333 buttons – 10 months later. That suit, plus many more button-covered displays, are featured within the metal building constructed by his children in 2008 to house his vivid collection.

Button Museum

Treva Thomas Hammond of Rock Hill, 2015 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Visitors to the Button King Museum will encounter everything from hearses to guitars to toilets, all garnished from top to bottom in buttons. Stevens’ skill at affixing buttons to so many articles caught the eye of television hosts such as Johnny Carson, David Letterman, and Kathie Lee Gifford, all of whom have featured him on their shows. Hi s hobby even earned Stevens a place in the Guinness Book of World Records as the owner of the world’s largest button collection of over 1 million buttons.

The Button King

Wendi Brazell of Blythewood, 2010 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

While entrance to the museum is free of charge, donations are welcomed. The next time you find yourself passing through Bishopville – maybe visiting the Pearl Fryar Topiary Garden – don’t pass up an opportunity to visit the one-and-only Button King Museum.

Dalton Stevens Button King

Thia Beniash of Ladson, 2016 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

More Pictures of the Button King Museum


Button King Piano

Donna Edgeworth of Scranton, 2016 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Button King Coffin

Donna Edgeworth of Scranton, 2016 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Button King Car

Donna Edgeworth of Scranton, 2016 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Button King Hearse

Donna Edgeworth of Scranton, 2016 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

Reflections on the Button King Museum


The Button King Museum invites many fond reflections. Contributor Treva Thomas Hammond shares, “When you come to the end of this country road and see The Button Museum, you have no idea what to expect when you enter the metal building. It is filled with items such as a hearse, toilet, piano, and coffins – all covered in thousands and thousands of buttons! Dalton Stevens is the Button King who put it all together. It’s a tourist attraction you won’t forget!”

Wendi Brazell, who captured one of the portraits of Stevens above, writes, “We were driving through Bishopville on a hunt for the Lizard Man when we saw a sign for the Button Museum. This man’s collection was absolutely incredible; he had everything from toilets to cars covered in buttons. This hat and guitar were featured, along with the Button King himself, on Johnny Carson. Anyone who goes to Bishopville should stop by and visit.”

Thia Beniash adds, “The Button King is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records. He (Dalton Stevens) is a friendly man – 86-years-young – and still plays a button-covered guitar. He plays every Friday night for free. [This is] a museum and person worth visiting. The museum cost is donation only.”

Add your own reflections here.

Plan Your Trip: Button King Museum

Where is Button King Museum located?
Address: 55 Joe Dority Road, Bishopville, SC 29010
GPS Coordinates: 34.238109,-80.350281
What else should I see?
Thomas Fraser House 8.7 miles
St. John's Catholic Church 9.4 miles
James Carnes House 9.4 miles
Dennis High School 9.5 miles
Show me more like this!
  • Bishopville Historic Sites
  • See other South Carolina Roadside Oddities
  • See other South Carolina SC Artists
    Button King Museum Map

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. trowen62@gmail.com says

      April 30, 2020 at 1:22 PM

      This sounds fascinating, but sorry to hear of his death.

      Reply
    2. Linda Barnett says

      May 17, 2019 at 12:20 PM

      Did not read that after his death you are still open at the museum? We are planning a trip that way on the 29th, wondering if you will be open? (843)-572-8170.

      Reply
      • SC Picture Project says

        May 19, 2019 at 4:45 PM

        Hello Linda, we tried to reach out to the museum (as we are not directly affiliated) but have not heard back yet. We do believe they are still open but are unsure yet if those hours are regular or not.

        Reply
    3. EAllen says

      April 30, 2017 at 2:00 PM

      So sorry I didn’t get to visit before his passing. Tried to visit the other day and found it closed. Hope it will open soon. He is quite the folk artist.

      Reply

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