IHNE Field Trip #1, May 13, 2022
Destination:
American Precision Museum, Windsor, VT
Battison Museum (aka/ The Franklin Museum of Nature and the Human Spirit)
Participants:
John
his wife Debora
Eric
Miriam
Our Hosts:
Steve Dalessio, Executive Director, American Precision Museum
Alice Cable, APM Associate Executive Director
Barbara George, APM Board Member
Jay Boeri, Director, Battison Museum
The grind of a long drive quickly melted away as we stood in the shade provided by the 176-year old armory building, soothed by the gurgling mill brook. This sound and the imposing four-story structure reminded us that harnessing water-power is what initially drove the Industrial Revolution in New England. But we were about to learn that this was just one of many sites up and down the Connecticut River Valley where the “American System” of manufacturing ignited a second Industrial Revolution. The collective efforts of small workshops, inventors and entrepreneurs in this area, evolved into the machine tool industry that became the backbone of America’s industrial dominance in the 20th Century. Hello Precision Valley!
After a warm greeting, Steve and his team guided us through a fascinating series of displays and interactive elements that taught us how this site played a vital role in the development of precision manufacturing. It was inspiring to see working examples highlighting an extraordinary nexus of innovation, problem-solving and craftsmanship. After our tour, enchanted by how the stories and objects from this single site so well illuminate the wonders of our local and national industrial heritage, we were able to sit down and review the purpose of IHNE. We left having made new friends and strengthened our commitment to collaborate and share this special place with the world.
Director Steve Dalessio showing Eric, Debora and John an operational 19th century lathe
Steve Delessio pointing out Mill pond details
Clock mechanism in dining room of Battison's house
Steam engine with documentation in Battison's Dining room
We continued a short way up the road to an organization that shares part of its history, some of its collections and the Mill Brook with the American Precision Museum: the Battison Museum.
Jay Boeri’s enthusiastic welcome initiated a visit to a unique place that can only be described as having incredible potential. A vast and still largely undocumented (and sometimes unpacked) collection that spawls across 5 acres and 5 buildings, we only had time to scratch the surface.
But what we did see was a mind-blowing assortment of objects gathered by a collector consumed by acquiring evidence of human innovation. Not content with individual examples of technological advancement, he gathered multiples, along the lines of the incredible Mercer Museum in Doylestown, PA. We sat with Jay and marveled at his commitment to bring this remarkable collection under control and into the light. We left promising to consider the future possibilities of this orphaned museum and eagerly looking forward to coming back.
Eric Peterson