Exhibitions

America's Clothespins

February 14, 1998 – February 7, 1999

National Museum of American History
1300 Constitution Ave., NW
Washington, DC

1st Floor, West Wing, Showcase

See on Map Floor Plan

This showcase features the museum's entire collection of 41 clothespin patent models (1852-1887), including the 1st patented version, and explores its development as an inspiration for invention, engineering, and manufacturing in the 19th and 20th centuries. Also included are toy washing machines, clothespins, books, illustrations, hand-crafted clothespin people, and a 1945 Norman Rockwell poster.