WALTHAM - Truly a Unique and Historical City

 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.

 Articles on Display at the Waltham Museum

The Metz Room
·           1913 and 1915 Metz automobiles
·           1903 Orient buckboard
·           Metz memorabilia

The Waltham Watch Room
·         Waltham watches and clocks
·         United States watches of Waltham
·         Columbia watches of Waltham
·         Museum Gift Shop

The Rudy Currier Room
·         Black iron stove and ice box
·         Edison Gramophone
·         RCA Victrola
·         1939 Zenith radio
·         Waltham cotton mill items

The Hentzi Room 
·         1911 Bleriot airplane reproduction
·         Old industrial tools
·         B.C. Ames micrometer
·         J.L. Thompson buckle box
·         Watchmaker's lathe
·         Waltham chalk boxes
·         Orient bicycle built-for-two
·         A rare Comet bicycle
·         Stark Tool lathe
·         The Alex Chasse lathe
·         World War I and II displays
·         Waltham milk bottles
·         Blacksmith tools
·         Boiler and steam engines

 
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 at The Waltham Museum in August, 1971. Both cars were built in Waltham, MA.

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For more information please e-mail or call:

THE WALTHAM MUSEUM 501(c)3
Albert A. Arena, Museum Director
25 Lexington Street
Waltham, MA 02452

(781) 893-9020
(781) 893-8017

Copyright: 2000

Hours: Tuesday - Saturday  1:00 - 4:30 pm

Visitors Welcome

Group visits during the week by appointment.
Adults - $4.00, Seniors - $2.00, Children - $2.00

Members Admitted Free

Waltham's History Awaits You!