American Precision Museum - Behind the Scenes

Behind the Scenes

Plan to attend a staff-led Behind the Scenes Tour offered on Sundays during the exhibit season. This is your opportunity to see the storage areas not normally open to the public, and to view artifacts not on exhibit. See first hand the building elements and restoration work at the Robbins and Lawrence armory that houses the museum and learn more about caring for the collections. Here is a list of our upcoming tours.

Please click on the thumbnails below to see the full-sized image with description.

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Overhead Lineshafts::The Robbins and Lawrence Armory was built as a water-powered mill to manufacture guns and machine tools. In this photo you can see remnants of the overhead line shafts that transferred power from the basement water wheel to the machinery on all three floors. Photo by: Ed Pershey

Engine Lathes::In this area on the second floor, the flyball governors are stored just beyond the engine lathes seen in the front of the photo. One of the organizational principles of collections care is to store like with like, not only because similar materials require similar conditions for preservation purposes, but also because it is easier to examine or inventory a group of similar artifacts stored together. Photo by: Ed Pershey

Flyball Governors::The shaft of a flyball governor is spun by a steam engine. As it spins, centrifugal force throws weights outward, moving linkages that slow the machine down. As the shaft slows down, the weights fall, engaging a throttle that speeds the engine up. In this manner the flyball governor causes the engine to operate at a constant and consistent speed. Photo by: Ed Pershey

Typewriters::The typewriter collection dates from the 1800s to the 1980s and includes such makes as Remington, Underwood, Olympia, Royal and IBM. Each machine has been inventoried, tagged and stored under a protective, but 'breathable' Tyvek cover that allows air to circulate thus preventing condensation and rust. Here the typewriters are being uncovered for a 'Behind the Scenes' viewing. Photo by: John Alexander

Free admission every Sunday!

All museum programs are wheelchair accessible with the exception of the Behind-the-Scenes Tours.

The American Precision Museum is honored to participate in the Blue Star Museums program, a collaboration with the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and more than 1,500 museums across America. From May 28 - September 3 we will offer free admission to all active duty military personnel and up to five family members.

Behind the Scenes

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