Did You Know?
African American inventor Nathaniel Alexander patented an improved folding chair design on July 7, 1911 (U.S. Patent #997,108). While collapsible seating existed long before this time, and earlier patents existed, Alexander specifically designed his folding chair for schools, churches and auditoriums. Alexander’s design included a rack on the back of the chair to hold books or hymnals for the person seated directly behind. Designed to be light, compact, and easily stored when not in use, Alexander’s folding chair was ideal for choirs, auditoriums and lecture halls where space-saving and organized seating were needed.
In celebration of this achievement, the Tubman Museum would like to add a folding chair to “From the Minds of African Americans” our exhibit that pays homage to the unsung African American inventors, scientists and entrepreneurs whose ingenuity has made positive contributions to the lives of everyday Americans.
While the Tubman Museum has many folding chairs, an everyday contemporary folding chair won’t do for our exhibit.
How You Can Help
Do you have, or have access to, an antique folding chair from the early part of the 20th century? Would you like to donate to a museum exhibition that tells the stories of African American inventors? If so, please send a picture of your folding chair to the Tubman Museum at jbruce@tubmanmuseum.com along with your contact information.
If your chair is chosen, it will be included in “From the Minds of African Americans,” the Tubman Museum’s core exhibition on African American Inventors, and your name will be listed prominently as a donor to this exhibition.