Program

Public Programs: Interpreting America's Historic Places: Planning Grants

Period of Performance

5/1/2008 - 8/31/2009

Funding Totals

$39,642.00 (approved)
$39,642.00 (awarded)


American Precision Museum Interpretive Plan

FAIN: BP-50060-08

American Precision Museum, Inc. (Windsor, VT 05089-1312)
Carrie Brown (Project Director: September 2007 to October 2009)

Planning of a major permanent exhibition on the rise of precision manufacturing and its importance in American industrial history.

At a site uniquely positioned to tell the story of precision manufacturing in America, this project will interpret the American Precision Museum through a major, permanent exhibition on the history of the machine tool and the rise of the ?American System? of manufacturing.This will be the first major, permanent exhibition to explore Vermont?s industrial history in any depth, and it will overturn many a visitor?s pre-conceived notions about New England industry. Building upon one of the finest collections of machine tools in the nation, the museum will develop an exhibition that not only illuminates the machines but also explores the lives of the people who made and used them. Windsor is considered to be the cradle of precision manufacturing. The machines and systems designed and built here made mass production possible. Mass production in turn has made possible abundant food and clothing, improved sanitation and health care, and the leisure for universal education.