To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy, known as D-Day, the National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF) Museum installed a restored Higgins Boat on the front lawn of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) from April 27- July 27, 2019. This vessel's design was instrumental in defeating the Axis powers during World War II thanks to its ability to land troops in shallow water and on sandy beaches.

To learn more about the history of this unique boat and its equally unique inventor, Andrew Higgins, please read our Journeys of Innovation feature story, "The patented boat that won the war."

Exhibit information

Featuring a restored Higgins Boat that saw combat duty during World War II, visitors are invited to come aboard the 36-foot vessel, which is wheelchair accessible. There are only 20 original Higgins Boats currently on display in the entire world.

Additional signage features information about the boat's place in history. Visitors are also invited to plant miniature U.S. flags in a specially designated area of the exhibit in honor of U.S. service members.  

The exhibit is open for self-guided tours during NIHF museum hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. M-F and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. The exhibit and museum are closed Sundays. The exhibit runs through July 27, 2019.

Past events that commemorated the Higgins Boat exhibit

June 1, 2019, – The City of Alexandria, Virginia, celebrated the 75th anniversary of D-Day with a free public event at the new Alexandria Waterfront Park. There were WWII reenactors, food and drink, and live 1940s swing music, and exhibitors including the USPTO. Alexandria is the sister city of Caen, in Normandy, France.

June 5-6, 2019 – Visitors stopped by the Higgins Boat around the 75th anniversary of D-Day to get special guided tours of the Higgins Boat from WWII reenactors and NIHF museum staff.