Bradford, Pennsylvania is home to not just Zippo lighters and Case knives, but also to a commitment to the craft and quality synonymous with “Made in America.” Zippo invites you to visit the Zippo/Case Museum, where fans and collectors from across the globe gather to experience the rich history of these two American icons.
Come explore the 15,000-square-foot attraction that includes the world famous Zippo repair Clinic and Zippo/Case flagship store. Fourteen custom-made Zippo street lighters line the drive leading up to the building. Over the entrance towers a 40-foot Zippo lighter with pulsating neon flame and an enormous Case Canoe three-blade pocket knife. Enjoy a self-guided tour to learn the rich history of two American icons.
The first museum, the Zippo Family Store and Museum, opened in late 1993. Aptly named, as it featured products for sale from the Zippo family of companies at the time: Zippo, W.R. Case and Sons Cutlery Company, and Holgate Toys.
The original museum was quite small and quickly proved inadequate to satisfy the passion of collectors and the curiosity of tourists who made the trip to Bradford. In 1995, plans for a brand new and greatly expanded store and museum were initiated. The grand opening of the Zippo/Case Visitors Center took place on July 18, 1997, coinciding with the company’s 65th-anniversary celebration. It was the centerpiece of the 1997 Zippo/Case International Swap Meet. More than 8,000 people from around the globe attended the three-day event, inaugurating a flow of international visitors that continues today.
The Zippo/Case Museum now hosts more than 100,000 visitors annually. Collectors and tourists travel from all around the United States and many other countries including Japan, Korea, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, and Brazil to revel in their love of these two iconic American brands.
According to zippo.com; en.wikipedia.org. Source of photos: internet
