American Precision Museum Association

Our mission (10/2013) is to capture the imaginations of young and old with the spirit of innovation, problem solving and design, through the dynamic story of machines and people which form the foundation and future of manufacturing.

Our goals:
1. Offer programs that inspire young people to design, innovate, and problem-solve.
2. Build communities that foster a strong manufacturing future.
3. Care for and use our collections and historic property to inspire new generations of innovators.

Our museum educates and inspires new generations to design, innovate, and problem-solve. We do this through engaging exhibits and programs that excite individuals to
• experience the history of machine tools at work,
• grasp the impacts of machine tools on society and individuals in America,
• understand the connection between machine tools and the products we rely on,
• witness and become a part of the continuing evolution and exciting future of manufacturing

Our strategies are to:
Engage and support a capable staff skilled in teamwork
Partner with organizations seeking to accomplish the same goals
Ground our work in research
Test, evaluate and tweak existing programs and create new ones to reach these goals

We seek to build our capacity in all areas.

Funding:
Our annual operations budget is supported by generous individual donors, individual members and corporate members, by grants for special projects, by earned income including admissions and museum gift shop sales, as well as by a measured draw from our endowment income (unrestricted funds only).

Staff:
Our full time staff includes an Executive Director and Development Director (Nov. 2015). Part time staff includes a Director of Education, Collections Technician. Part time seasonal staff include a Visitor Services Manager, Visitor Services Assistant, and interns.

Board of Trustees:
Our Board meets quarterly, and its expertise is drawn from manufacturing, historic preservation, education, and community leadership.

Facilities and Collections:
The museum is housed in the 1846 Robbins & Lawrence Armory, a National Historic Landmark. Our collections have been recognized as nationally significant. Because of significance, we have been successful with historic preservation and collections care grants. But there remains much to do.

In 2017 we adopted a new Transformation Plan, and the beginnings of the museum's first ever Capital Campaign. We have a 6 figure seed gift. In 2017 we launched a successful new education program, the Jr. Machinist Apprentice Program, that we can build on. Specific accomplishments include:
• $29,000 in admission revenue, a 13% increase over last year
• 263 student visitors from schools and camps - an increase of 167% over last year
• Scheduled school and summer camp tours – 7
• Scheduled adult group tours – 10
• The launch of the Junior Machinist Apprentice Program
• $19,244 in museum store sales – up 25.5% over last year
• Best attendance ever at one of our lectures on early Vermont bicycling – 55 people
• New Interactives at Working Machine Shop: Wobbler Motor Assembly & Maze Activity. Estimated Participation: 20% of visitors
• 2 full time employees, 2 part time educators, a part time collections technician and a part time administrative assistant
• 23 Corporate Members, 450 donors and/or members