National Museum of American History
Hall of American Maritime Enterprise
August 11, 1978 – September 4, 2006
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'
