John M. Mossman Lock Museum facts for kids
The John M. Mossman Lock Collection is a super cool museum in New York City. It's located inside the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen of the City of New York building. This museum has one of the biggest collections of bank and vault locks in the world! Imagine, it holds more than 370 locks, keys, and tools. These items show how locks have changed from ancient times (around 4000 BC) all the way to the 20th century.
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Contents
What You'll See at the Museum
The museum is on the second floor of the General Society building. You'll find all sorts of interesting locks displayed in bright glass cases.
Locks from Around the World
- You can see ancient Egyptian wooden-pin locks.
- There are also cool Chinese padlocks.
- And don't forget American time locks, which were designed to open only at certain times.
Many of these locks are truly special. They were made just once and not mass-produced. Almost every lock in the collection once protected huge amounts of money and important papers.
Secret Trunks and Tools
Next to the lock displays, you'll see old, studded trunks. These trunks have clever, hidden keyholes. Bankers used them long ago to keep their valuables safe while traveling. The collection also includes many tools used by locksmiths.
Learning More About Locks
John M. Mossman, who started this amazing collection, also gave his notes and scrapbooks to the museum. These are called the "Mossman Papers." They are a very helpful resource for anyone studying the history of locks.
The Lure of the Lock Book
In 1928, a book called The Lure of the Lock was published. This book describes every single lock in the collection. You can get this book, or even a photo CD of the collection, from the General Society.
Other Collections and Visiting Info
Besides the locks, the museum also has other interesting items. Friends and members have donated old curiosities, rare books, prints, flags, clocks, and medals.
How to Visit the Museum
The museum is open to the public. There is a small fee of $10 to view this unique collection. It's a great place to learn about how people have protected their treasures throughout history!
