In 1813 the Boston
Manufacturing Company was formed in Waltham by Francis Cabot Lowell. It was
the first time that all the processes for making cloth took place under one
roof. It was the first modern factory in the United States and
history books have credited this as the beginning of America's industrial
revolution.
In 1854 the Waltham Watch Company was established
by Aaron Dennison. The company went on to make the first watches with
interchangeable parts and the first 100% American-made watch. The
advanced machinery designed at the Waltham Watch Company spread to other
industries and led to America's industrial power.
In the 1890's Charles Metz and the Waltham
Manufacturing Company made a fine line of bicycles, including the famous
ten-seater "Oriten" which is now located in the Ford Museum.
In 1903 the gasoline-powered Orient Buckboard was
produced. It was followed by the Metz automobile, winner of the 1913
Glidden Tour.
Waltham
is also noted as the home of such famous persons as
Governor Christopher Gore and General Nathaniel Banks.
These
are only a few of the reasons why Waltham is truly a unique and historical
city.
Articles on
Display at the Waltham Museum
The
Waltham Watch Room
·Waltham watches and clocks
·United States watches of
Waltham
·Museum Gift
Shop
The
Exhibits
·1911 Bleriot airplane
reproduction
·J.L. Thompson buckle box
·Waltham Watch Exhibit
·Waltham Watch Exhibit
·Waltham chalk boxes
· Orient bicycle built-for-two
· Stark Tool lathe
· World War I and II displays
· Waltham milk bottles
· Blacksmith tools
· Native American Tools
· Waltham Historic Houses
· Sports Room
· Hall of Fame
Plus numerous
pictures, postcards, maps, documents, artifacts, and memorabilia of old
Waltham.
Walter
Metz, 90, second son of Charles H. Metz, stands between a 1903 Orient
Buckboard and a 1915 Metz automobile at The Waltham Museum on June 2, 1983.
Former
Metz employees Al Pacquin and Edward L. Hentzi study a 1915 Metz automobile. Both cars were built in Waltham, MA.
Support The Waltham Museum by
joining THE WALTHAM MUSEUM
Group visits during the week by appointment.
Adults - $4.00, Seniors - $2.00, Children - $2.00
Members
Admitted Free
Waltham's
History Awaits You!
MEMBERSHIP:
The
Waltham Museum is an educational non-profit organization which operates on a
volunteer basis
and is a recognized repository for gifts from individuals or estates. Such
gifts are tax deductible.
