Pencil Museum in UK

More than five centuries ago, a huge deposit of pure graphite was discovered in Cumberland, England. Local shepherds used it to mark their sheep. Soon after, a cottage industry arose in pencil manufacturing.

Visitors can learn the history of pencils, take an art class and see the world’s largest coloring pencil (it’s yellow, almost 26 feet long and weighs 984 pounds) and other exhibits at the Cumberland Pencil Museum (Southey Works, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5NG, U.K.; phone +44 [0] 17687 73626). Open daily 9:30-5. Adult, £4.25 (near $7); senior or child, £3.25.