John M. Mossman Lock Collection — Quirky Museums & Collections in New York City

Entry No. 19 — the New York City file — filed under: offbeat-museum

John M. Mossman Lock Collection

Tucked on the second floor of the historic General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen, this is one of the world's largest collections of bank and vault locks, with more than 370 locks, keys, and tools spanning from 4000 BC to the early 20th century. The cases include Egyptian wooden-pin locks, Chinese padlocks, and elaborate American time locks that could only be opened at a set hour. Bank-vault engineer John Mossman amassed the collection from locks he replaced for clients like the Stock Exchange and donated it in 1903 on the condition it stay public.

The move: Lean over the lit glass cases together to puzzle out how a 19th-century time lock kept a bank vault sealed until a precise minute.

📍 Before you go Inside a private society building; open limited weekday hours (often Tuesday-Friday, sometimes only half days). Confirm before going.

Where: 20 West 44th Street, 2nd floor, New York, NY 10036

Hours: Added 2026-06-23 — confirm current hours before you go.

⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.

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Plan a visit & invite your people →

Proof: source 1 · source 2 · source 3 · source 4

last checked: 2026-06-23