Craftsmanship Museum
33°07′57″N 117°14′18″W / 33.1326°N 117.2382°W
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| Established | 2006 |
|---|---|
| Location | 3190 Lionshead Avenue Carlsbad, California |
| Type | Technology museum |
| Collections | Hand crafted models and machines |
| Owner | Joe Martin Foundation for Exceptional Craftsmanship |
| Website | craftsmanshipmuseum |
The Miniature Engineering Craftsmanship Museum, also known as the Craftmanship Museum, is an American museum in Carlsbad, California, that collects and displays miniature models created of metal and wood.[1][2] It is sponsored by The Joe Martin Foundation for Exceptional Craftsmanship.[3] The museum annually honors skilled artisans who create finely crafted miniature items.[4][5]
Collection
[edit]The collection includes approximately 500 working miniature engines as well as models of aircraft, automobiles, and other objects. Especially notable are a 1/6 scale model of a 1932 Duesenberg and several aluminum cutaway World War II fighter models. A Norden bombsight is displayed in the museum's collection.[6][7]
1932 SJ Duesenberg
[edit]Louse Chenot constructed an operational 1/6-scale model of a 1932 SJ Duesenberg.[8][9] Construction required about 20,000 hours over 10 years.[10] The engine runs on gasoline. Doors close with two clicks, outside and inside handles operate independently.
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1932 SJ Dusenberg -
1932 SJ Dusenberg working-engine closeup.
Machine shop
[edit]The museum houses a machine shop staffed by volunteer toolmakers.[11] The museum's toolmakers work with craftsmen throughout the world building miniature projects. They clean, restore, repair and maintain the objects donated or loaned to the museum.
Exhibits
[edit]-
Main exhibit room -
Main exhibit room -
Main exhibit room -
Birk Petersen exhibit -
![P-51 model 1/16-scale scratch-built by Young C. Park c. 2006[12]](/media/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8b/Model_of_P-51_Mustang_by_Young_C._Park.jpg/250px-Model_of_P-51_Mustang_by_Young_C._Park.jpg)
P-51 model 1/16-scale scratch-built by Young C. Park c. 2006[12] -
P-51 model 1/16-scale by Young C. Park close-up. -
Working 18-cylinder radial engine 1/4-scale by Harold Beckett c. 1995 -
Wright Flyer -
Building and structural models
![P-51 model 1/16-scale scratch-built by Young C. Park c. 2006[12]](/wiki/File:Model_of_P-51_Mustang_by_Young_C._Park.jpg?lang=en)
History
[edit]The Craftsmanship Museum first opened in 1996 as an online museum by Joe Martin, owner of the Sherline Company. In 2006, Joe opened a physical museum at the Sherline factory in Vista, California.[13] Within 4 years, the museum outgrew the factory space and Joe decided to create the Joe Martin Foundation to purchase a 16,000 square foot building in the Raceway industrial park as a permanent home for the museum in Carlsbad, just a couple miles from the Sherline factory. Over the years the museum has expanded its collection of exhibits to include hundreds of working models of all types of miniature machines, engines, architecture, automobiles, and airplanes as well as one-off unique articles of miniature engineering craftsmanship such as a 0.010” diameter bolt with matching nut.
References
[edit]- ^ Robertson, Tom (January 16, 2022). "Carlsbad's Hidden Gem – The Miniature Engineering Craftmanship Museum". North County Daily Star. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
- ^ "Miniature Engineering Craftsmanship Museum". San Diego Museum Council. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
- ^ Carroll, John; Corelis, Carolyne (February 21, 2025). "Carlsbad museum gives big platform to very small things". KPBS Public Media. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
- ^ museumadmin (December 27, 2024). "Must-See Car Museums in the San Diego". San Diego Museum Council. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
- ^ Lambert, Matthew (February 16, 2020). "California museum to honor Red Wing man as craftsman of the year". Rochester Post Bulletin. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
- ^ "Check It Out: The Joe Martin Foundation Craftsmanship Museum". San Diego Union-Tribune. August 28, 2011. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
- ^ Gonzales, Leslie (January 31, 2024). "San Diego Museum Month returns with over 60 participating locations". KPBS Public Media. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
- ^ "The Internet Craftsmanship Museum Presents: Louis Chenot". Craftsmanship Museum. Retrieved December 15, 2016.
- ^ Newcott, Bill (April 25, 2023). "There's a Museum for THAT?". The Saturday Evening Post. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
- ^ Robinson, Aaron (January 10, 2018). "This miniature machine museum has tiny models that actually run". Hagerty Media. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
- ^ Maynard, Mark (July 9, 2013). "Miniature museum has big appeal". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
- ^ "Park's Practically Perfect P-51D" (PDF). Finescale Modeler. September 2008. Retrieved December 15, 2016.
- ^ "CARLSBAD: Miniature machinery museum relocates from Vista". San Diego Union-Tribune. April 21, 2011. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
External links
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