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Threading Machine Machine Tools
The Museum's machine tool collection is one of the most extensive collections in the world. Included are single and multiple spindle lathes, shapers, planers, milling machines, single and multi spindle drills and grinding machines. The highlight of the machine tool collection is the machines developed in this building by Robbins and Lawrence to mass produce firearms with interchangeable parts. The remainder of the collection spans over two hundred years, representing the major advances in precision manufacturing from the earliest uses of the slide rest up to the introduction of CNC (computerized numerical controls) control, powered by foot, water and electricity.

Optical Comparator Measuring Devices
Making products with interchangeable parts requires skill and above all, precision. Parts must be made to the correct specifications so that they will be interchangeable. The Museum's collection includes measuring devices such as comparators, calipers and gauges that were used to measure parts of machines and their products. Screws, gun locks, and mechanisms are just a few of the parts that were scrutinized for precise measurements.

Clarke's Revolving Double Looper Threading Sewing Machine Sewing Machines
After 1850, many of the gun making machines were retooled to make sewing machines, such as Edwin Clark's Revolving Looper, made in this building by the Jones and Lamson Company. Many of the earliest sewing machines in the collection are extremely simple and entirely functional. Later machines, built after the mechanical technology improved, are beautifully crafted. Painted trim, mother-of-pearl inlays and manufacturers' medallions decorate the machines, which are mounted in carefully crafted wooden cases. The major manufacturers represented in the collection are Howe, Singer, and Willcox & Gibbs.

Blickensderfer No. 5 Typewriter Typewriters
The Museum's typewriter collection includes examples by Barlock, Remington, Oliver, the Northern Typewriter Company, and many others. The Hammond No. 12 Multiplex, developed in the 1890s, prints with the hammers striking the paper from behind. The Blickensderfer, first introduced at the Columbia Exposition at the Chicago World's Fair in 1893, has a changeable type wheel, allowing the use of different fonts or languages. The variety and ingenuity of these early typewriters is well represented by over fifty typewriters in the Museum's collection.

US Model 1841 Rifle Firearms
The museum's extensive gun collection traces the history of firearm design and construction in the Connecticut Valley, beginning with custom guns made by Nicanor Kendall, David Hall Hilliard, and Asa Story. Moving into the era of the factory-made gun, the collection includes examples of every gun manufactured in the building over its long history, including the Enfield Minie rifle and the 1841 Mississippi Rifle made by Robbins & Lawrence, the Model 1861 Special Musket manufactured by Lamson, Goodnow & Yale, the Jennings rifle, the Palmer carbine, the Ball repeating carbine and the rare Windsor Sharps rifle.

Working Models by John Aschauer Collection Highlights
This section highlights unique objects from the collection. The Museum is proud to include in its collection the Gnome of Maxfield Parrish, as well as objects from his workshop. Parrish was not only an artist, but a machinist who made architectural embellishments for his home and models to use in his paintings. The Museum also houses the working models of John Aschauer, including his model steam power plant constructed when Aschauer was only fourteen years old. One of the most unique objects in the collection is John E. Worrell Keely's Etheric Force Machine built in 1878 to measure vibrations.

Drawing of Sundial Archives
The Museum's archival collection includes photos, drawings, records and associated materials relating to the last two hundred years of precision manufacturing. This includes the records of Brown and Sharpe, Jones and Lamson and the National Acme Company. The Museum's archive collection is temporarily unavailable to the public. Please contact the museum staff for reference requests.

Library
The Museum has extensive library holdings that complement its collection of machine tools, sewing machines, firearms, typewriters and measuring devices. Books range on subjects discussing the history of precision manufacturing, the inventors, machinists and companies of precision valley as well as using precision tools and a large reference for firearms. The Museum's library collection is currently unavailable to the public. Please contact the museum staff for reference requests.

Don't Miss...

Model-T Club Rally and Special Tours

Saturday, August 16, 2008

The Central New Hampshire Model-T Club will be celebrating the centennial of the Ford Model-T at the museum.  All antique cars are welcome. The museum will offer free admission to all who arrive in an antique car.

 

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