Exhibits | National Museum of R

Exhibits at the Museum

The exhibits at the National Museum of Roller Skating highlight the people and artifacts that have made roller skating history. In addition to learning more about the exhibits showcased here, during a trip to the museum you can experience the evolution of roller skate wheels, view a selection of nineteenth-century roller skate patents, and watch highlights of roller skating competitions.

Each exhibits features the displays showcased below.

All images displayed on this website are from the museum's collection.

Competition

Roller Hockey

Sport

Combining fast action and team play, it is easy to see why roller hockey ranks among the fastest growing sports in the world.

Roller Derby

Sport

Few sports have captured the American imagination quite like the Transcontinental Roller Derby.

Artistic Skating

Sport

Figure and freestyle skating, along with skate dancing, are part of artistic skating.

Speed Skating

Sport

While perhaps thousands of young men skated well at the turn of the century, only some excelled at speed skating.

Skating for Others

History

Working together, skaters and rink owners have raised millions of dollars for a number of causes.

Skating goes to War

History

World War II touched every part of American life including roller skating.

Jam Skating

Recreation; History

Robust Black skating cultures emerged during the 20th century, with different skating styles being attributed to different cities and regions...

Father of Modern Skating

History

In January of 1863, James Leonard Plimpton patented his four wheeled turning roller skate.

The "Newest" Craze

Entertainment; Recreation

Roller skating’s widespread popularity has waxed and waned many times throughout its long history as one of the USA’s favorite...

In Popular Culture

Entertainment

From Artistic Skating to Roller Derby experience the competition behind roller skating!

The Skating Vanities

Entertainment

One show created to fulfill this desire for entertainment was the Skating Vanities.

Vaudeville

Entertainment

Of the numerous types of acts and hundreds of performers, trick and fancy skaters became part of the vaudeville circuit.