Alexandria Sites Hold Scavenger Hunt To Mark 10 Million Patents

ALEXANDRIA, VA—On June 19, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office expects to issue its 10th patent. To mark this incredible milestone for creative minds across the U.S., Alexandrians can celebrate with a fun scavenger hunt all summer long.

The City of Alexandria is partnering with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the National Inventors Hall of Fame on a summerlong scavenger hunt throughout Alexandria.

Nine Alexandria area sites are participating in the scavenger hunt: the Alexandria Black History Museum, Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, Gadsby's Tavern Museum, The Lyceum, Fort Ward Museum, Friendship Firehouse Museum, National Inventors Hall of Fame, Torpedo Factory Art Center and George Washington's Mount Vernon. Participating museums are featuring new exhibits on historical patents and will offer USPTO inventor trading cards about inventors and their patents.

The goal of the scavenger hunt is to collect all of the trading cards. Participants are encouraged to make sure to stop by each spot on the scavenger hunt map to collect all of the trading cards.

The celebration of the 10 millionth patent recognizes the importance of innovation, intellectual property and the history of America's patent system, while the city is recognizing the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as a major employer. The first patent has been issued and signed by President George Washington in 1790 for the process of making potash, an ingredient in fertilizer.

The scavenger hunt and runs through Labor Day (Sept. 3). Admission to museum and sites will be charged.

See the event flyer to find the scavenger hunt map and participating museum hours. Visit 10millionpatents.uspto.gov for more about the history of patents.

Image via U.S. Patent and Trademark Office