The collection at the American Clock & Watch Museum, Inc. includes clocks dating from 1680 and watches dating from 1595. With the exception of some items that date to modern times, the majority of the collection dates from 1800 to 1940. Mainly comprised of American-made timekeepers, the displays give particular prominence to those clocks that were mass-produced in Connecticut, as this state once held the distinction as the world’s great clock manufacturing area of the 19
th century.
The museum’s collection also includes some foreign examples of clocks and watches. These clocks are displayed in order to highlight the technology and design features that were incorporated into designs of American clockmakers as they sought ways to make timekeepers that were more affordable for the working class.
With over 1500 clocks and watches on display, visitors have the opportunity to view many different types and styles of timepieces and time-related accessories. A variety of tall case clocks, shelf clocks, wall clocks, precision regulators, novelty clocks, alarm clocks, tower and church clocks, jeweled and non-jeweled watches, watch keys and fobs, and clock and watch making tools and machinery is included in this fine collection. In addition, visitors will discover that the viewing of the collection is enhanced by the large number of clocks that are kept running and chiming.
Whether you are a serious collector or a casual visitor, there is sure to be something in our collection that will pique your interest.
Permanent Exhibit
The museum's main permanent exhibit is "Connecticut Clockmaking and the Industrial Revolution." At the beginning of the 19th century almost everything was made by hand and almost nothing was made by machine. By the end of the 19th century most items were made by machine and practically nothing was made by hand. The American clock industry played an important role in that transformation often called "The Industrial Revolution." At the end of the 18th century clocks and watches were made in America and in Europe one at a time by the local clockmaker. The time consuming process of molding parts from brass, filing them and fitting them together made these timekeepers expensive. Eli Terry a master clockmaker from Terryville, CT experimented with the production of wooden clock movements and in 1807 he received a contract to produce 4,000 clock movements in 3 years. Using local water power to run his machinery, local carpenters, Silas Hoadley and Seth Thomas, to produce the parts, and the concept of interchangeable parts, he completed the contract on time. His movements were the first complicated mechanical mechanisms with truly interchangeable parts.
This exhibit tells the story of Eli Terry's effort and the subsequent developments that lead to the growth of the clock industry in Western Connecticut. This exhibit has a self-guided cell phone tour available without charge. See the web site page on Cell Phone Tour for details.
New Temporary Exhibits 2009
"Gears and Claws, Wood and Paws: Classical Yankee Clocks 1815-1850"
The revival of classical styles of furniture in American strongly coincided with Eli Terry’s introduction of clocks small enough to fit on a shelf. The shelf clock was the first production clock which came complete with its own case. Shelf clocks of the first half of the 19th century emulated contemporary Federal furniture styles by incorporating classical elements and symbols of the young American Republic.
Clock cases of the …. . .
…. . . Neo-Classical period, 1815-1825, were characterized by classical architectural elements such as fluted columns and fancy capitals.
…. . . Empire period, 1820-1840, were decorated by carved or stenciled elements often featuring birds or animals.
…. . . Late Classical period, 1835-1850, were characterized by simpler ogee moldings, corbels and beautiful veneers used as primary decoration.
"Sandglasses, Sundials, Fire Clocks, & Astrolabes: Ancient Timekeeping at the American Clock & Watch Museum"
This exhibit illustrates the types of devices used to measure intervals of time prior to the development of mechanical means. Highlights include a selection of ancient sundials reproduced by the late Richard F. Bolster (1889-1965) of Forestville, CT, a local astronomer and mathematician; an early, sectional sand-glass with fish skin-covered case; and a Persian astronomers' astrolabe dating to ca. 1800.
