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Club HistoryThis book is no longer available. A limited edition printing has sold out. Excerpts from The History of the Amateur Telescope Makers of BostonThe ATM's of Boston was founded in 1934 by a group of persons interested in assisting others in the art of optical polishing the craft of telescope making, and to learn together about the science of astronomy and the use of astronomical instruments. The founding members consisted of a banker, some engineers, a music teacher, a plumber, a tinsmith, a secretary, and an electrician to name a few. The group was encouraged by A.D. Jones Optical works, the only optical concern in Boston at the time. Mr. Jones introduced the club to Dr. Harlow Shapley at Harvard College Observatory. With Dr. Shapley's assistance, a series of monthly lecture meetings were instituted on astronomy and held at the observatory. Those meetings still continue today and we have been privileged to hear many of the world's most eminent astronomers speak at the meetings.
In 1956, just prior to the launch of the first artificial satellites, the ATM's joined the Operation Moonwatch program sponsored by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory and formed "Operation Moonwatch Cambridge", a research group dedicated to developing advanced amateur techniques for visual observations and orbit predictions. Equipment was set up on the roof of the observatory to make observations accurate to 6 arc-minutes in position and one tenth of a second timings. As the combined HCO-SAO complex expanded, the ATM workshop was moved a number of times and finally had to move to the Museum of Science when all available space was needed for official staff programs. Within a few years, a similar situation occurred at the Museum when space was required for new exhibits. At that time, the club, which had grown to 220 members, moved to the cellar of one of its members and long range plans were made to purchase a piece of land and construct a workshop-observatory complex. The astronomic rise in real estate values, building costs, and inflation-in-general has delayed this goal considerably and has made the prospect of a convenient downtown location unlikely. In addition, the population shift to the suburbs makes no one particular location ideal. In recognition of the various legal and financial problems involved with acquisition of property, buildings, and equipment, the club incorporated in Massachusetts as a non-profit education organization in 1966. A dues increase was implemented to establish a building and savings account for future use. In 1974, the ATM's expended considerable labor and funds to refurbish a building at the Nike site on Drumlin Farm in Lincoln Mass. so that workshop activities could resume with our own group responsible for providing the heat and utilities. An active observing program was also established and a 16" portable telescope has been constructed. Unfortunately, nearly a year later, it was discovered in a legal settlement that the prior landowner had stipulated that should the U.S. Army vacate the site, it was to revert to its natural state forever. The army was required to demolish the buildings and for the past two years, the corporation has been without a shop and unable to serve its members. Historian Note: In 1977, after contacting Dr. Sebring and M.I.T. the club was granted permission to occupy and rent the farmhouse which is under restoration and per as our agreement, we will maintain the property. This year marks the 20th year of our association with Haystack Observatory. |
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