Were you one of those kids who liked to take things apart to see how they worked? Are you amazed by the progress made in technology since your childhood? Perhaps you would just like to know what you’re looking at when you lift your car’s hood.

The Upper Valley has the perfect museum for you. The American Precision Museum in Windsor is all about everything mechanical. Located in the original Robbins & Lawrence Armory, it holds the largest collection of historically significant machine tools in the United States.

Precision manufacturing impacts many areas of our everyday lives. Mass communication, rapid transit, clothing, and medical care are just a few of the areas transformed by modern methods of mass production, and many were pioneered at the Armory.  

According to the museum’s website, its mission is “to capture the imaginations of young and old with the spirit of innovation, problem-solving, and design demonstrated through the dynamic story of the machines and people which form the foundation and future of the manufacturing industry in America.”

The museum has tools and mechanical collections representing a number of areas such as machine tools, firearms, measuring devices, sewing machines, and typewriters. There are also exhibits that change every few months and focus on various aspects of machinery. Also housed in the building is the Machine Tool Hall of Fame. Created in conjunction with the Association for Manufacturing Technology, the hall salutes the people who made significant contributions to the American machine tool industry.

Perhaps most importantly, the museum strives to inspire new generations through educational programs. Children can learn about design, innovations, and problem-solving in the machine tool and manufacturing industries. It’s also a great place to learn about how machinery ties in with the historical events of a particular period in history.

The museum opens for the season on May 26 and is open through October 31. However, there are special events that take place during the off season, such as the recent “Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day.”

To keep up to date, visit the museum’s website (www.americanprecision.org) or its Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/AmericanPrecisionMuseum/?rf=112173825466172)