The National Museum of Roller Skating is the home of the largest collection of historical and antique inline and roller skates, dating back to 1819, in the world. Museum exhibits showcase people and artifacts from roller skating history. During a trip to the museum you can walk through the evolution of inline and roller skates.
Museum Collections
The museum collections include patents, medals, trophies, photographs, artworks, films, videos, costumes, libraries, archives and inline and roller sports memorabilia. There are approximately 1,500 volumes of roller skating books and periodicals, including over 125 American and foreign titles in the museum's periodical collection. The archives also includes over 8,000 photographs; personal papers of individuals prominent in roller skating from 1800 to the present; programs and archival material for local, regional, national, and international roller skating competitions; and miscellaneous articles and images related to roller skating.
Exhibits of interest include:- The first patented roller skate
- Plimpton's first "rocking skates" from the James L. Plimpton family collection
- A selection of nineteenth-century roller skate patents
- Stilt skates, 2-wheel skates, 3-wheel skates, and even skates designed for animals
- The complete evolution of the roller skate since the 1700s
- Inline skates dating from 1819 to present
- Leading skate manufacturing companies and innovators
- Photographs and memorabilia from clubs, organizations, celebrities and rinks
- Speed skating, artistic skating and roller hockey history
- Highlights of roller skating competitions
- Roller Sports Hall of Fame
Museum Store and Gift Shop
There is a museum store in the exhibit gallery with souvenirs like tee-shirts, pens, pencils, patches, postcards and paperweights. Several museum publications are available, too:- The Evolution of the Roller Skate: 1820-Present
- The History of Roller Skating
- Awards & Honors of the Roller Skating Association International
- The Allure of the Rink: Roller Skating at the Arena Gardens, 1935-1953
- Skate Crazy
The museum is a little off the beaten path, but Lincoln is a friendly city, the home of roller sports history and the national hub for current USA Roller Sports activities. The National Museum of Roller Skating is located at 4730 South Street, Lincoln, Nebraska 68506 and is open Monday through Friday with free admission.
