John M. Mossman Lock Museum
Encyclopedia
The Mossman Lock Museum is housed at the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen of the City of New York
building, located at 20 West 44th Street in midtown Manhattan
which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
. The museum houses one of the largest collections of bank and vault locks in the world, with more than 370 locks, keys and tools dating from 4000 BC to the modern 20th-century. Egyptian wooden-pin locks, Chinese padlock
s, American time lock
s, etc., are all displayed in lighted glass cases on the second floor of the General Society. Alongside the cases are studded trunks, with cleverly concealed keyhole
s, once used by bankers. Many of the examples are unique, made-to-order locks that were not produced in commercial quantities and nearly every lock has protected millions in money and securities.
To augment the lock collection. Mr. Mossman donated his notes and scrapbooks, known as the "Mossman Papers", which have proven to be a valuable resource for the study of locks. The Lure of the Lock was published in 1928 and describes each lock in the collection.
Collections of various antebellum curios, rare books, prints, flags, clocks and medals have also been donated by friends and members. Admission is nominal for viewing this museum collection, yet is open to the public.
General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen of the City of New York
-Founding History:The General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen of the City of New York, was founded on November 17, 1785, by 22 men who gathered in Walter Heyer's public-house on Pine Street in Lower Manhattan. The aims of the General Society were to provide cultural, educational and social...
building, located at 20 West 44th Street in midtown Manhattan
Midtown Manhattan
Midtown Manhattan, or simply Midtown, is an area of Manhattan, New York City home to world-famous commercial zones such as Rockefeller Center, Broadway, and Times Square...
which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. The museum houses one of the largest collections of bank and vault locks in the world, with more than 370 locks, keys and tools dating from 4000 BC to the modern 20th-century. Egyptian wooden-pin locks, Chinese padlock
Padlock
Padlocks are portable locks used to protect against theft, vandalism, sabotage, unauthorized use, and harm. They are designed to protect against some degree of forced and surreptitious entry.- History :...
s, American time lock
Time lock
A time lock is a part of a locking mechanism commonly found in bank vaults and other high-security containers. The timelock is a timer designed to prevent the opening of the safe or vault until it reaches 0, even if the correct combination are known...
s, etc., are all displayed in lighted glass cases on the second floor of the General Society. Alongside the cases are studded trunks, with cleverly concealed keyhole
Keyhole
A keyhole is where a key is inserted to open a lock. It is more properly known as a keyway.Keyhole has the following meanings:* Gravitational keyhole is a region of an orbit where a small gravitational input could cause a small body to collide with the large body it is orbiting.* Keyhole surgery is...
s, once used by bankers. Many of the examples are unique, made-to-order locks that were not produced in commercial quantities and nearly every lock has protected millions in money and securities.
To augment the lock collection. Mr. Mossman donated his notes and scrapbooks, known as the "Mossman Papers", which have proven to be a valuable resource for the study of locks. The Lure of the Lock was published in 1928 and describes each lock in the collection.
Collections of various antebellum curios, rare books, prints, flags, clocks and medals have also been donated by friends and members. Admission is nominal for viewing this museum collection, yet is open to the public.