Exhibitions

Hall of American Maritime Enterprise

January 1, 1964 – September 4, 2006

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

1st Floor, East Wing

See on Map Floor Plan

This new hall surveys 200 years of American History at sea and on inland waterways.

Highlights include:

  • a display of National Watercraft Collection ship models
  • a 2-level installation of a steam engine and engine room of the U.S. Coast Guard Buoy-Tender Oak
  • a working model of a modern lock and pool system
  • two theaters: Disasters at Sea and newsreel-type presentation of World War II Shipbuilding
  • period rooms: Colonial tidewater house, towboat pilot house, marine underwriter's office, luxury liner lounge, and a storefront tattoo parlor (the later featuring changing tattoos projected onto sailor/mannequins).
  • scrimshaw; passenger liner memorabilia; views of U.S. ports; John Stevens' 1803 steam engine; Joseph Francis' 1840s 'life car'