The Watch City Steampunk Festival will be held on Waltham Common on May 10th, 2025! See our website at https://www.watchcityfestival.com/ for complete details.
The schedule is subject to change at any time. Any differences between what appears on the official schedule and what actually happens is the fault of the local mad scientists messing with the historical timeline.
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Come learn more about the history of Waltham!
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.
