Arlington, Texas: Sewing Machine Museum - Closed

Pictures of most of Frank Smith's Antique Sewing Machines, from his world's first of its kind museum can be seen here.

Frank's museum first opened in Fort Worth in 1975, and was shown for two years there, as an official; US Bi-Centennial Project to the public, before going on display in Grand Prairie, for 4 years, at the Southwestern Historical Wax Museum, then at its 14 year showing in Arlington, Texas. It closed its doors in 2000, and is in storage today. [Frank Smith, 01/13/2010]

Frank M. Smith spent over 30 years collecting the old machines -- models from 1853 to 1960's -- and finally opened the first permanent Sewing Machine Museum from 1988 till closing in 2000. He had exhibited in three other cities before that time. He completed his dream of opening the 1st of its type, but had to close it in 2000.

Wanting to re-open somewhere, he soon realized it was too expensive an undertaking. So with the over 150 machines in storage, he has decided to sell the entire collection to someone, or museum, to keep it going if possible. One can contact Frank at (817)793-6400 if interested. [Frank M. Smith aka Frankie Lee Smith, 03/27/2009]

The Antique Sewing Machine Museum in Arlington, Texas is closing! Proprietor Frank Smith has lost his lease. [MHK, 08/31/2000]

[RA: Frank Smith is closing the museum on Nov. 15, putting everything into storage until he finds a new location. The museum has had previous lives in Hot Springs, AR and Grand Prairie, TX. ]

Arlington, Texas claims to have the only Sewing Machine Museum in the U.S. The museum is is called Smith's Sewing Machine Museum, and is owned by Frank Smith. It is located at 804 W. Abram St. He has many old and rare sewing machines on display. On July 4, 1996, Smith built a giant replica of a 1864 Civil War hand cranked Shaw & Clark machine. He hoped to have the 16-foot-long, 10-foot-high exact replica listed in the Guiness Book of World Records. Smith, who had his arm in a sling when he uncovered the machine for the parade, claimed to be the only person to have fallen off a sewing machine. [Beverly Short, 10/01/1997]