Fort Payne Hosiery Museum: A Stitch in Time

The Fort Payne Hosiery Museum celebrates the city's fascinating history as the 'Sock Capital of the World.' In its heyday, Fort Payne produced a staggering one in every eight pairs of socks globally. The museum is housed in a beautifully preserved early 1900s building. Inside, you'll find an impressive collection of antique sock-making machinery, vintage hosiery, and personal artifacts that offer a glimpse into the lives of the workers who shaped the industry. The museum's journey began in 1990 when local historians formed an association to preserve the hosiery industry's legacy. Through their efforts, the building was restored and opened to the public in 1992. Exhibits showcase the evolution of sock-making equipment, photographs, and memorabilia from the industry's beginnings in 1907 through its peak in the late 1990s. The displays highlight Fort Payne's transformation from a busted boom town into a global manufacturing leader, all thanks to the humble sock. The museum stands as a testament to the ingenuity and resilience of the people who made Fort Payne a global hosiery hub.