Join us June 25 through July 10
As part of the nation’s celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the USPTO will be in the America Innovates Pavilion at the Great American State Fair, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. With an interactive exhibit, screenings of a special documentary short, and on-site staff, the USPTO is showcasing how patents and trademarks have helped drive American innovation, economic growth, and everyday life.
Admission to the fair is free, and advance registration is encouraged through the official Freedom 250 website.
Hours of operation
10 a.m to 9 p.m. Sunday–Wednesday
10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday–Saturday
10 a.m. to midnight on July 4
250 Years of American Innovation
The centerpiece of the exhibit is “250 Years of American Innovation,” a 10-by-30-foot interactive digital display that lets visitors explore the history of notable U.S. inventions and brands from the past 250 years. Visitors can search the featured patents and trademarks by category, chronologically, or by familiar brands and technologies.
Featured inventions from the exhibit include the first U.S. patent signed by George Washington, Abraham Lincoln’s patent for a method of navigating shoals, Josephine Cochran’s dishwasher, Garret Morgan’s traffic signal, and Hedy Lamarr’s wireless communication system. Well-known trademarks include Hershey’s Kisses, Gatorade, McDonald’s, and Jeep.
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Innovation
At the top of every hour, throughout the duration of the fair, the newly-premiered USPTO short film, “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Innovation,” plays on the large screen. This 10-minute documentary traces the role of American inventors and the intellectual property system from the founding of the nation to the present day. Over the sixteen days of the fair, more than 100 USPTO volunteers will be on-hand to provide information and resources about applying for a patent or registering a trademark as well as to answer questions. Visitors can also pick up six unique inventor cards and USPTO swag.
Where to find us
The America Innovates Pavilion is located adjacent to the Smithsonian metro stop, off 12th St. SW in between Madison Dr. NW and Jefferson Dr. NW.
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