DALTON, Mass. - The Crane Museum of Papermaking is showcasing their legacy through pop-up paper making demonstrations where people can make their own banknote paper.

Crane Currency started making the paper for banknotes in the United States in Dalton 145 years ago. It’s still doing so today, producing currency for more than 50 central banks around the world.   

“Crane has been making currency paper for the United States. It’s the only company that’s made it the entire time it's been made, which starts 1879 up to current day,” Jenna Ware, Crane Museum of Papermaking’s museum director, said.

The process used to be making the paper by hand: dipping a papermaking mold into cotton and water, transferring it onto felt, squeezing the water out and then drying it.

Dennis Croughwell worked for Crane and company for 40 years and said he loves to tell people the history of how paper was made.

“I think it’s interesting to convey that to people so that they have an appreciation for the technology that went into developing and creating the paper making industry as it is today,” Croughwell, a museum educator with the Crane Museum of Papermaking, said.

The museum’s physical location is closed to the public for security reasons.

Crane said the free pop-up events in July and August are a way to educate and preserve a story so central to American history. 

Check out pop-up locations here.