WINDSOR — Centuries ago, the Robbins & Lawrence Armory in Windsor developed the tools and systems that made mass manufacturing possible, a contribution that is celebrated today at the American Precision Museum. Yet, in addition to teaching about the past, the museum also hopes to support the next generation of innovators through its new Learning Lab, which offers hands-on science, technology, engineering and math, — or STEM — education to students.
For both these endeavors, the American Precision Museum is recruiting new volunteers for a variety of roles. Volunteer information sessions will be held this week from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, March 1 and 2, at the museum at 196 Main St., Windsor.
Scott Davison, education director at the museum, said that for the past year the organization has been developing a comprehensive STEM education program for the Learning Lab. At the same time, the museum has been developing a professional museum interpretation program to help visitors on tours better understand the exhibits and site. Volunteers are essential for both of those initiatives.
“I am now a one-person department and the current success of the new programs won’t be sustainable in without significant assistance,” Davison said.
The American Precision Museum invites visitors and volunteers to learn about an often-overlooked yet important part of Western history, Davison said.
“The American Precision Museum is about more than just the machine tools in our collection. It represents the meaning of the historic and innovative evolution of the machine technology that made modern consumer society possible with all of its benefits and economic and environmental challenges,” he said.
The process developed in Windsor for making precise, interchangeable parts was affected the progression of technologies from automobiles to computers, he added.
“It’s important that we remember the story of that evolution and understand how it has affected our lives today and how it can affect our future,” Davison said.
Volunteers don’t need to know any of this, however. While the museum welcomes machinists with experience, it also is looking for people who want to learn more about a new area. Women and young people (over age 16) are particularly encouraged to get involved.
“We welcome and invite all the diversity we can,” Davison said.
Volunteers who are interested in future work at museums or national historic sites can receive certification through the National Association for Interpretation, something that many museum jobs require. For these people, volunteering at the American Precision Museum is a great way to gain professional experience.
For others, volunteering at the museum is a way to connect with the past and future — while helping visitors do the same.
“It is important to have an interest in history and an affection for people and helping others find their own special meaning in our site,” Davison said. “Patience, a good sense of humor and a keen willingness and ability to really listen to visitors’ needs. It’s not about what we think the visitor should know, it is about the possibilities to introduce visitors to our story and let them come to their own new understandings.”
People who are interested in volunteering at the American Precision Museum can get more information by attending one of the upcoming information sessions, by visiting http://americanprecision.org/ or by contacting Davison at 802-674-5781 or sdavison@americanprecision.org.