In Hamden, Connecticut, the Eli Whitney Museum occupies part of the historic Mill River gun factory site where Eli Whitney launched his musket works after contracting in 1798 to produce 10,000 muskets for the United States government. Though he began without a factory, workers, or gunmaking experience, Whitney built a water-powered operation that became an important early industrial site and helped pioneer the use of standardized, interchangeable parts in American manufacturing. The former armory grounds also preserve elements of Whitneyville, the factory village that grew around the works. Today the museum connects that industrial past to exhibits, design programs, and hands-on education.

Photo: Wikipedia · Public domain

Photo: Wikipedia · Public domain