October 4, 2007
Contact Name: Kim Craven
Marketing/PR
Phone: (717) 684-8261
E-mail: kcraven@nawcc.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MUSEUM ROLLING BACK ADMISSION PRICE FOR DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME

COLUMBIA, PA:  Enjoy an extra week of daylight starting this fall!  You’ll have extra time to rake and mow before sunset and the end of Daylight Saving Time.

To celebrate Daylight Saving Time and the 30th anniversary of the National Watch and Clock Museum, the admission price will be rolled back to $1— the same price in November 1977. On Saturday, November 3, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. you and your family can make a sand timer, design a wristwatch, and enjoy a scavenger hunt through the Museum.  Visit the Museum on Sunday also for $1.

Story time will be held at 1p.m. with Ryle Leigh Douglas, the author of Tock –A-Tick. Douglas, a recently retired teacher, has had a love for reading since childhood. She received her M.A. as a reading specialist from Kutztown University and her 15 years of classroom work with children and her love for reading have inspired her to write children’s books.  Douglas will sign her book and copies of her book will be available for sale.

The Museum has gone through a number of expansions since it first opened its doors on November 6, 1977. On that day, 2,000 people from across the nation visited the 8,600 square foot gallery.  Growth of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, and the growing number of museum pieces led to an expansion in 1985 that doubled the existing exhibit and library space. 

The Museum’s final expansion began again in 1997 and was completed in 1999. New office space was added, and the Museum was enlarged to fill the entire old building.  These expansions have allowed the Museum to care for its extensive and ever growing collection of over 12,000 treasures of time.

Daylight Saving Time at the Museum means resetting a multitude of clocks.  Columbia is the center of time and home to North America’s largest collection of timepieces, including an 11-foot-tall French Statue Clock, enchanting German musical clocks, and the Engle Monumental Clock with 48 moving figures! 

This program is sponsored by Sovereign Bank and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
For additional information, call Katie Knaub, the Director of Education at 717-684-8261, ext. 237. 

The National Watch and Clock Museum, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization is operated by the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, Inc., a nonprofit association with approximately 23,000 members, representing 55 countries. The Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday from noon to 4 p.m., and closed on Mondays.  Discounts are available to seniors, students, AAA members, and groups of 10 or more. Groups of 10 or more are encouraged to call ahead.  For more program information, directions, or general Museum information, call 717-684-8261 or visit our website at www.nawcc.org.

September 10, 2007
Contact Name: Katie Knaub
Director of Education
Phone: (717) 684-8261
E-mail: kknaub@nawcc.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TIME TO VOLUNTEER

COLUMBIA, PA Do you have some time to give? Well we have the place! On Saturday, October 13, 2007, the National Watch and Clock Museum will hold an open house for anyone interested in volunteer opportunities at the Museum from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Museum’s lobby.
 
      Volunteers are integral to the National Watch and Clock Museum. These dedicated individuals provide much of the manpower needed for daily operations, programs, special projects, and events.  From event planning to education aides to exhibit construction, to archival research, volunteers get involved at various levels that fit the individuals’ time and commitment availability. If you want to make a difference by volunteering plan to come and learn more about these and many other opportunities at the Museum.

      Interested individuals can tour the galleries, enjoy refreshments, and learn about the benefits of being a volunteer at the National Watch and Clock Museum. No reservations are required for the Open House. If you want to volunteer but are unable to attend, please call the volunteer coordinator at (717) 684-8261, ext. 237 to request an application. The application is also available on the Museum’s website at www.nawcc.org.
     
      The National Watch and Clock Museum is operated by the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, Inc., a nonprofit 501(c)(3) association with approximately 23,000 members, representing 55 countries. The Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday from noon to 4 p.m., and closed on Mondays.  Discounts are available to seniors, students, AAA members, and groups of 10 or more. Groups of 10 or more are encouraged to call ahead.  For more program information, directions, or general Museum information, call 717-684-8261 or visit our website at www.nawcc.org.

August 10, 2007
Contact Name: Kim Craven
Marketing/PR
Phone: (717) 684-8261
E-mail: kcraven@nawcc.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TEA TIME AT THE NATIONAL WATCH AND CLOCK MUSEUM

COLUMBIA, PA:  In conjunction with its anniversary clock exhibit, The National Watch and Clock Museum in Columbia will present tea time and an historical fashion show highlighting wedding gowns from the 1700s to 1900s on  Saturday, September 15, from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Museum’s elegant marble rotunda and adjacent theatre.

“Bosom Buddies to Bustles” from the Blair County Historical Society will share wedding fashions and customs through the ages.   Guests will learn how brides of the 18th and 19th centuries prepared for a successful marriage; what the brides had in their trousseaus; and how the customs of cakes, veils, honeymoons, and serenades originated.

Not all the gowns modeled will be just to view. Fashion Show sponsor, Beach White Bridals from Lancaster, will also showcase some gowns for brides interested in purchasing a new gown that has a vintage look.

Tea time will include assorted finger sandwiches, scones with luscious toppings, and petite desserts accompanied by a selection of teas. Tickets ($25 for adults; $16 for children 12 and under) include the tea, fashion show, and admission to the Museum. Reservations may be made in person at the Museum, Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., or by calling 717-684-8261, ext. 237 or e-mailing rsvp@nawcc.org.  Because seating is limited, plan to register early.

All 2007 public programs are sponsored by Sovereign Bank and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.    

The National Watch and Clock Museum is operated by the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, Inc., a nonprofit 501(c)(3) association with approximately 23,000 members, representing 55 countries. The Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday from noon to 4 p.m., and closed on Mondays.  Discounts are available to seniors, students, AAA members, and groups of 10 or more. Groups of 10 or more are encouraged to call ahead.  For more program information, directions, or general Museum information, call 717-684-8261 or visit our website at www.nawcc.org.

July 10, 2007
Contact Name: Kim Craven
Marketing/PR
Phone: (717) 684-8261
E-mail: kcraven@nawcc.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CLOCK MUSEUM WELCOMES DIRECTOR

COLUMBIA, PA:  The National Watch and Clock Museum recently restructured its staff to include the newly developed position, Museum Director to which Noel Poirier has been appointed.  Poirier, a Lancaster County native, has returned to the area after having served as a museum educator for Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and more recently as director of Collections and Public Programming for Historic Bethlehem Partnership. He has a B.A. from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and an M.A. in Military History from American Military University.

“I hope to raise greater awareness within the region of the national treasure that is the National Watch and Clock Museum, its collections and its programming. This will be accomplished through an exhibit schedule that highlights interesting stories, personalities and objects related to time, timekeeping and the science of horology.” Specifically greater efforts will be made to cultivate a local support base for the Museum, increase Museum visitation, establish more interactive and engaging exhibits, and achieve American Association of Museums accreditation.” Poirier said.

Steven Humphrey, Executive Director of the NAWCC stated, “The NAWCC is a complex organization which manages a trade school, library, and research center, a 23,000 member organization of collectors and a museum.  The creation of this position brings more focus to the museum to strengthen its position in the community and in its mission.”

The National Watch and Clock Museum is operated by the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, Inc., a nonprofit 501(c)(3) association with approximately 23,000 members, representing 55 countries. The Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday from noon to 4 p.m., and closed on Mondays.  Discounts are available to seniors, students, AAA members, and groups of 10 or more. Groups of 10 or more are encouraged to call ahead.  For more program information, directions, or general Museum information, call 717-684-8261 or visit our website at www.nawcc.org.

May 10, 2007
Contact Name: Kim Craven
Marketing/PR
Phone: (717) 684-8261
E-mail: kcraven@nawcc.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FABULOUS FOURTH FRIDAY FLICKS

COLUMBIA, PA:  Take your family to the movies – for free! Usually there’s some sort of catch or gimmick included in an offer like this.   But here’s a genuine opportunity to enjoy a free movie and free popcorn, in our charming, air conditioned theater!

Participating in the Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce’s “Fabulous Fourth Friday in the Rivertownes” program, The National Watch and Clock Museum in Columbia is offering free movies on the fourth Fridays of May through September.  The Museum will extend its hours until the movie begins at 6 p.m. Early attendance is suggested because seating is limited.

The first movie to open “Fabulous Fourth Friday” on May 25 is Back to the Future and it is sponsored by Mom’s Card. The following are the additional movies that will be shown:

June 22 –Land Before Time
July 27 – Kate and Leopold
August 24 –Ice Age
September 28 – Night at the Museum (sponsored by the Lancaster-York Heritage Region)

Call Katie Knaub, Director of Education, for additional information at 717-684-8261 ext. 237.

Special promotions in the afternoon and evening at shops, galleries, and restaurants in Columbia, Marietta, and Wrightsville; art displays; brownbag lunches from a local restaurant in Columbia between 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.; and live entertainment in the Locust Street Park are some of the features of Fabulous Fourth Friday. For more information visit www.parivertowns.com or call Melissa Glenn at the Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce at 717-684-5249.

The National Watch and Clock Museum is operated by the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, Inc., a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization with approximately 23,000 members, representing 55 countries. The Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday from noon to 4 p.m., and closed on Mondays.  Discounts are available to seniors, students, AAA members, and groups of 10 or more. Groups of 10 or more are encouraged to call ahead.  For more program information, directions, or general Museum information, call 717-684-8261 or visit our website at www.nawcc.org.

May 8, 2007
Contact Name: Kim Craven
Marketing/PR
Phone: (717) 684-8261
E-mail: kcraven@nawcc.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

IS THERE A TREASURE ON YOUR MANTELPIECE?

COLUMBIA, PA:  Dig out, dust off, and bring in that old clock or watch you inherited from your great  grandma, learn something about its history, and find out what it might be worth!  Timekeeping experts will be on hand to help you discover the history —and value — of your old clock or watch on Saturday, June 9 from 9 a.m. – 12 noon at the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors’ (NAWCC) 2007 National Convention at the Marriott Hotel and Chattanooga Convention Center in Chattanooga, Tennessee. 

The theme for this Convention, which runs from June 6 -9, is “Southern Horology.”  Horology is the study of timekeeping and on Wednesday, June 6, noted expert Tom Spittler will present a lecture on Southern Horology at 7 p.m. in the Marriott Hotel.  People usually associate early American horology with the industrial north, but there were southern clock and watchmakers too.  The Convention runs from June 5 -10 and is open to everyone in addition to NAWCC members.

The 60 years or so following Independence were a significant period in the development of southern horology and Tom will detail the south’s contribution to American timekeeping.  Included in the display of watches and clocks representing the southern horology, will be a Howard Regulator clock on loan from Georgia’s Governor’s office.

From Thursday through Saturday, there will be nearly 20 other presentations on everything from how to buy a watch to what’s involved in opening a clock shop.  All lectures are given by experts who are extremely knowledgeable and informative, and there is usually time for questions and answers following the presentations.

The Convention is not only a place for time-conscious adults, it’s also a place where children can learn and enjoy creating time treasures to take home —  like a cookie clock, or a water clock — and even learn how to tell time using fossils.  Youngsters will also enjoy time-related games including “pin the hands on the clock,” stopwatch races, and a scavenger hunt.

Tim Orr, a member of the NAWCC, expressed why he enjoys attending the National Convention:  “We all get to talk one-to-one with people interested in the same thing we are, and authorities in the field are right here on the scene.  It’s a fantastic opportunity to learn and interact with others. To me, the Convention is not just about clocks and watches, it’s about people. I have found that everyone will go out of their way to share their time and knowledge.  That is what the Association is about!”

All lectures and exhibits are free and open to the public, and additional information is available at nawcc2007.org or by contacting Convention co-chairs Jim and Renee Coulson at 423-238-1555.  If you are interested in learning more about the NAWCC, information will be available, including all the benefits of membership.  Information is also available at the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors’ website at www.nawcc.org.

The National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC, Inc.) is a nonprofit, 501(C)(3) organization with approximately 24,000 members, representing fifty-five countries.  NAWCC operates the School of Horology, an accredited institution offering instruction and skills verification in watch and clock repair and restoration, the National Watch and Clock Museum, which houses a collection of over 12,000 timekeeping artifacts, and a Library and Research Center with over 5,000 cataloged references.  To learn more about the NAWCC and affiliated organizations, visit www.nawcc.org.

April 27, 2007
Contact Name: Kim Craven
Marketing/PR
Phone: (717) 684-8261
E-mail: kcraven@nawcc.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PAINTING IN REVERSE!

COLUMBIA, PA:  Do you know middle or high school students who really enjoy art and are looking for creative fun this summer? The National Watch and Clock Museum is offering Reverse Glass Painting June 25 -27 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the class will be designed specifically for this age group.

Well-known reverse glass painter and retired educator, Lee Davis will instruct students in reverse painting on glass, transfers on glass, and stenciling on glass.

Coming from the Orient, reverse painting was popular in America during the early 1800s and was used on clocks and some mirrors.  The artist paints a layered design on the back of the glass, so that the image on the front shows depth.

“This is a unique opportunity for students to learn about an art form that is not typically done as often today and develop the skill to use it in just a three-day period,” states Director of Education Katie Knaub.  The cost for the course is $110 and includes all materials.  For more information call 717-684-8261, ext. 237 or e-mail education@nawcc.org

The National Watch and Clock Museum is operated by the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, Inc., a nonprofit 501(c)(3) association with approximately 24,000 members, representing 55 countries. The Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday from noon to 4 p.m., and closed on Mondays.  Discounts are available to seniors, students, AAA members, and groups of 10 or more. Groups of 10 or more are encouraged to call ahead.  For more program information, directions, or general Museum information, call 717-684-8261 or visit our website at www.nawcc.org

April 9, 2007
Contact Name: Kim Craven
Marketing/PR
Phone: (717) 684-8261
E-mail: kcraven@nawcc.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LECTURE HIGHLIGHTS LOCALLY MADE CLOCKS

COLUMBIA, PA:  In conjunction with the opening of The Clocks of Delaware exhibit, the National Watch and Clock Museum will host a program at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 12, by author Dr. Philip Zimmerman.  The program will explore this special exhibit of Delaware clocks, on loan from the Biggs Museum of American Art in Dover, Delaware, the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Arts, and private lenders.

Dr. Zimmerman is a museum and decorative arts consultant and American antique furniture broker from Lancaster, PA.  He has a doctorate in American and New England Studies from Boston University and graduated from the Winterthur M.A.Program in Early American Culture at the University of Delaware. Dr. Zimmerman’s most recent book is Delaware Clocks, published by the Biggs Museum and is available in the National Watch and Clock Museum gift shop.  Zimmerman has written three other books, and numerous articles and reviews in The Magazine Antiques, American Furniture, and Winterthur Portfolio.

Dr. Zimmerman was previously director of the Museum Collections Division at Winterthur, executive director of the Historical Society of York County, and curator of the Currier Gallery of Art.

This special exhibit of Delaware tallcase and table clocks of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries features 16 superb examples from 1740 to 1815, the Golden Age of clock production. Delaware clocks reflected European trends in case and movement design; however through the years regional differences quickly began to develop. 

Zimmerman’s lecture and The Clocks of Delaware exhibit are included with Museum admission.  Support from Sovereign Bank and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission made this exhibit possible.  For additional information, call Katie Knaub, the Museum’s Director of Education at 717-684-8261, ext. 237.

The National Watch and Clock Museum is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.  It is operated by the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, Inc., a nonprofit association with approximately 24,000 members, representing 55 countries. The Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday from noon to 4 p.m., and closed on Mondays.  Discounts are available to seniors, students, AAA members and groups of 10 or more. Groups of 10 or more are encouraged to call ahead.  For more program information, directions, or general Museum information, call 717-684-8261 or visit our website at www.nawcc.org.

April 2, 2007
Contact Name: Kim Craven
Marketing/PR
Phone: (717) 684-8261
E-mail: kcraven@nawcc.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THE 2007 WARD FRANCILLON TIME SYMPOSIUM

COLUMBIA, PA:  The Philadelphia Chapter of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, Inc. will present the 2007 Ward Francillon Time Symposium October 24 through October 26 in York, Pennsylvania, at The Yorktowne Hotel. 

The theme for this year’s Symposium is “The Impact of Mass Production on the American Clock Industry.” This is a topic that is rarely addressed in horological literature or history, and it deserves the special attention that it will be given this year.  Proud to be the first and one of the largest NAWCC Chapters, the Philadelphia Chapter hopes that this Symposium will rekindle interest and spawn further research in this rich area of horological history.

Dr. Donald Hoke, keynote speaker, will present “The Beginning of Mass Production: Eli Terry and the Porter Contract” as the kickoff Wednesday evening.  Eli Terry, a nineteenth-century Connecticut clockmaker, revolutionized clockmaking by introducing mass production and interchangeable parts.  His development of the wooden shelf clock led to factory production and widespread marketing of clocks, and it paved the way for other entrepreneurs to create their own unique version.

Hoke is author of Ingenious Yankees:  The Rise of the American System of Manufactures in the Private Sector, winner of the prestigious Columbia University Prize in Economic History in honor of Allen Nevins, given annually by the Economic History Association. 

After receiving his master’s degree in history from the University of Delaware and finishing his dissertation at the University of Wisconsin, Hoke wrote his first article, “The First Aurora Watch:  A Preliminary Report on the Aurora Watch Company of Aurora, Illinois,” published in the August 1977 NAWCC Bulletin..

Soon after Hoke became a Fellow of the NAWCC.  After serving many years in leadership roles of several museums and historical societies, he is currently the Executive Director of the North Texas History Center.

In addition to Hoke’s presentation, approximately ten other distinguished speakers will address topics such as:

• The revolution in manufacturing
• The development of the brass and steel industries
• Chauncey and Noble Jerome—brass movements
• The workers in the Ingraham factory
• Modern production methods
• Joseph Ives, the innovator
• Erastus Hodges—the early entrepreneurs
• The Ansonia Clock Company
• The Seth Thomas Company

In addition to the speakers, Thursday evening will include time to tour the National Watch and Clock Museum, view the special exhibits, and enjoy light refreshments.  Following the speakers and lunch on Friday, everyone will have the opportunity to visit the York area attractions. The day will conclude with a banquet Friday evening at The Yorktowne Hotel.  

NAWCC members and the public are invited to attend the Symposium. Attendance for the three-day Symposium is just $135.   Registration information is available by visiting www.nawccevents.org or by calling the registrar, George Schwab at 215-968-2906. In addition, General Chairman, Don Buck, can be contacted at dbuckjr1@comcast.net or by phone 301-990-2461 with any questions concerning the event.

The National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC, Inc.) is a nonprofit, 501 (c)(3) scientific and educational organization with approximately 24,000 members representing 55 countries.  Members of the NAWCC include hobbyists, students, educators, casual watch and clock collectors, professional historians, and professionals in retail and manufacturing trades.  Their one common bond is a fascination with the art and science of timekeeping.  Of course, members also share a number of tangible benefits: yearly subscriptions to two quality NAWCC publications, local chapter activities, workshops and educational seminars held throughout the nation, and complimentary admission to the National Watch and Clock Museum in Columbia, Pennsylvania.  The NAWCC also operates the NAWCC School of Horology in Columbia, where diplomas can be earned in many different areas of the field of horology.  For additional membership information, call 717-684-8261 or visit www.nawcc.org.

March 29, 2007
Contact Name: Kim Craven
Marketing/PR
Phone: (717) 684-8261
E-mail: kcraven@nawcc.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GOT TIME ON YOUR HANDS?

COLUMBIA, PA:  If you have time on your hands with clocks and watches you’ve inherited or collected, and want to learn more about how to repair and restore them, The National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors is offering a series of Field Suitcase Workshops as part of its 2007 National Convention. The workshops are scheduled June 3 - 6 prior to the convention’s start June 6 -9.  The convention will be held in the Chattanooga Convention Center in Chattanooga, Tennessee and is open to NAWCC members and the general public.

Each of the Field Suitcase workshop classes has a tuition fee of $275 (plus $60 for non-members), lasts a full day from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and runs for four consecutive days. The classes and descriptions offered at this year’s convention include:

•  (F101) – Introduction to Basic Time & Strike…The American Kitchen Clock
  Develop basic repair skills using the American open spring “Kitchen Clock” movement.  The student will clean the movement and springs, straighten arbors and pivots, polish and replace pivots, repair lantern pinions, bush the plates, replace wheel teeth, adjust the escapement, and troubleshoot the movement for proper operation.
   
•  (F301) – Introduction to Basic Pocket Watch Repair---The American Pocket Watch
  The student will be introduced to the exciting world of watch repair by a FSW certified instructor.  There will be opportunity to disassemble, clean, lubricate, reassemble and test the watch for proper function and learn the proper nomenclature of the watches’ parts and how the watch operates.  Special attention is given to the need for complete disassembly and inspection and to the proper functioning of the escapement.
   
• (F200) – Fundamental Repair Skills
  Develop fundamental skills for horological repair.  The students will learn to work with various metals including hardening and tempering steel.  They will learn measuring, sawing, filing, drilling, punching, joining, sharpening, threading, and tapping and will make tools and parts needed for future repairs.  A tutorial on alternatives for major horological tool purchases is included.

The National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors operates a School of Horology in Columbia, PA where faculty is dedicated to preparing students for entry into the horological business field, endeavors to preserve established skills and knowledge pertaining to the art of clock and watchmaking, repair, and restoration, while encouraging interest in horological research.

The same dedication can be found in on-site Field Suitcase Workshop classes.  The NAWCC trains and certifies every instructor, and each has years of repair experience.  Instructors travel with a tool kit containing larger tools such as an ultrasonic cleaner, a lathe, a brushing tool, a spring winder, and a depthing tool.  Students are responsible for their own personal tools and clock or watch timepiece.

Deadline to register for a class is May 1.  Additional information about the classes is available by contacting Field Suitcase Workshop Administrator, Pam Tischler by phone at 972-612-0712 or by e-mail FSWProgram@verizon.net. To register for a class, mail payment to Pam Tischler, 4516 Barwyn Court, Plano, TX 75093. Please indicate the class name you are taking on the memo line of your check and write your membership number if you are an NAWCC member. A packet of information will be mailed to you with all the details of the class.

The National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC, Inc.) is a nonprofit, 501(C)(3) organization with approximately 24,000 members, representing fifty-five countries.  NAWCC operates the School of Horology, an accredited institution offering instruction and skills verification in watch and clock repair and restoration, the National Watch and Clock Museum, which houses a collection of over 12,000 timekeeping artifacts, and a Library and Research Center with over 5,000 cataloged references.  To learn more about the NAWCC and affiliated organizations, visit www.nawcc.org.

March 12, 2007
Contact Name: Kim Craven
Marketing/PR
Phone: (717) 684-8261
E-mail: kcraven@nawcc.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AREA MUSEUM HIGHLIGHTS DELAWARE CLOCKS

COLUMBIA, PA:  Curiosity is always aroused when something is locally made, and has an historical story to accompany it. This is especially true with something like a treasured clock that shows the passage of time, and with it, a collection of memories from days past.

The National Watch and Clock Museum is proud to highlight such treasured timepieces with the opening of a special exhibit, The Clocks of Delaware, on Saturday, April 14. This group of locally made tall-case and table clocks of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries features 16 of the finest made in Delaware during the Golden Age of clock production from 1740 to 1815.  The collection of clocks that comprises this new exhibit opening is on loan from the Biggs Museum of American Art in Dover, Delaware. Additional clocks are on loan from Winterthur Museum, Delaware State Division of Historical and Cultural Arts, Historical Society of Delaware, and private lenders. 

This assembled group of timepieces represents some of the finest known examples of Delaware-made clocks and inspires vital stories of Delaware’s relationship to fashionable and technological trends in Europe, Britain, and the earliest American urban centers.  The earliest Delaware clocks, and even some later examples, directly reflected European trends in case and movement design; however, regional differences quickly began to develop.  Visitors will have the opportunity to learn the terminology of tallcase design and to compare the evolution of design during this significant era of handcrafted clockmaking.

 “As North America’s largest collection of timepieces, The National Watch and Clock Museum is proud to be able to join Delaware’s Bigg’s Museum in boasting what American clockmakers have designed and manufactured,” stated marketing spokesperson Kim Craven.

The Clocks of Delaware exhibit is included with Museum admission.  Support from the Donegal Mutual Insurance Company and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission made this exhibit possible.  For additional information, call Katie Knaub, the Museum’s Director of Education at 717-684-8261, ext. 237.

The National Watch and Clock Museum is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.  It is operated by the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, Inc., a nonprofit association with approximately 24,000 members, representing 55 countries. The Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday from noon to 4 p.m., and closed on Mondays.  Discounts are available to seniors, students, AAA members and groups of 10 or more. Groups of 10 or more are encouraged to call ahead.  For more program information, directions, or general Museum information, call 717-684-8261 or visit our website at www.nawcc.org .

February 26, 2007
Contact Name: Kim Craven
Marketing/PR
Phone: (717) 684-8261
E-mail: kcraven@nawcc.org

SCHOOL ANNOUNCES STAFF ADDITIONS AND CHANGES

COLUMBIA, PA:  The School of Horology has been filled with a flurry of activity filled with many exciting changes.  Including the previously announced appointment of Sam Cannan as School Director/Watch Instructor, two other staff changes have occurred including Roger Chastain, Lead Clock Instructor, and Ted Brachfeld, Avocational Administrative Coordinator.

Roger Chastain is returning to the School after a brief retirement allowing him time to travel and visit with his children and their families.

Chastain started his career teaching Chemistry at West Virginia University in the 1960’s.  Within a few years, he received direct commission from the U.S. Army to do biomedical research.  While he was in the Army, he developed a strong interest in teletype equipment, where he supported a strong communication program between the overseas soldiers in the Vietnam War and their families back home.

After leaving the Army, Chastain’s strong teletype background was no longer in vogue because of the advent of the personal computer.  Now his interest turned to clocks and he realized that the clock too was something in which he had interest in exploring.  After some internet research, Chastain came to the School of Horology as a student in 1997 and entered the Clock Program.

After graduating in 1998 and having his own shop in Maryland, Chastain saw a notice in the Mart announcing that the School was looking for someone to join its faculty.   He began his role as a clock instructor in 2000 and stayed with the School until 2005 when he began his retirement.  But now as Chastain puts it, “I’ve been recalled from mothballs and now look forward to teaching again for many years to come!”

Ted Brachfeld will be putting together workshops offered by the School that do not fall under the School’s accreditation.

A graduate of the School’s watch and clock repair and restoration programs, Brachfeld also holds a masters degree in Art History from Ohio State University. He has worked independently as a horologist and previously served as the School’s clock instructor. 

Brachfeld brings to the School life-long experience in the antique and auction business and extensive experience as a research assistant at the Library and Research Center of the Museum.

The School is undergoing numerous changes which will allow for the expansion of learning that has already taken place since the School opened its doors in 1995.  Watch and listen for more news to come!

February 5, 2007
Contact Name: Kim Craven
Marketing/PR
Phone: (717) 684-8261
E-mail: kcraven@nawcc.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

IT'S A TIMELY MUSEUM BIRTHDAY PARTY AND YOU'RE INVITED!

COLUMBIA, PA:  Come join the party as the National Watch and Clock Museum celebrates its 30th birthday with Daylight Saving Time activities. Join the Museum as we spring ahead and learn about the many ways people have invented to keep track of time.

On Saturday, March 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. a birthday party event will be held at the Museum ‑‑ filled with lots of hands-on activities and birthday party fun for the entire family including:

• Time-related games
• Cookie clocks to make and eat
• Crafts
• A visiting clown, balloon sculptures, and face painting

For the first time this year, Daylight Saving Time will start three weeks earlier (2:00 a.m. on March 11) and end one week later (2:00 a.m. on November 4).  The Energy Policy Act, passed by the U.S. Congress in August 2005 set this time change.

When you think of changing the time on your watches and clocks at home, think of the Museum!  The Museum has over 12,000 timepieces in its collection; many of them are on public display and need to be adjusted and ready for visitors touring the Museum. Columbia is the center of time and home to North America’s largest collection of timepieces, including an 11-foot-tall French Statue Clock, enchanting German musical clocks, and the Engle Monumental Clock with 48 moving figures!

All the activities are included with Museum admission.  For additional information, call Katie Knaub, the Museum’s Director of Education at 717-684-8261, ext. 237.  All 2007 public programs are sponsored in part by Sovereign Bank and funded in part through a grant from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

The National Watch and Clock Museum is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization operated by the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, Inc., a nonprofit association with approximately 24,000 members, representing 55 countries. The Museum’s winter hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and closed on Sundays and Mondays.  Discounts are available to seniors, students, AAA members and groups of 10 or more. Groups of 10 or more are encouraged to call ahead.  For more program information, directions, or general Museum information, call 717-684-8261 or visit our website at www.nawcc.org.

 January 4, 2007
Contact Name: Kim Craven
Marketing/PR
Phone: (717) 684-8261
E-mail: kcraven@nawcc.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TELLING TIME: THE NATIVE AMERICAN WAY

COLUMBIA, PA:  Not everybody uses clocks or wristwatches to tell time.  Other cultures have used everything from the sun and moon, to the way the leaves on the trees turn to tell the time of day.

The National Watch and Clock Museum will host an interactive presentation, “Cultural Calendars: Native American Timekeeping” on Saturday, January 20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to teach visitors about the different ways that tribes in North America kept time. Dr. Frank LittleBear’s visit will make Native American culture come to life. Visitors will participate in dancing, drumming, and stories and will learn the differences in music, dance, and culture of the many indigenous nations.

Frank LittleBear of the Cree Nation, a professor of Native American Culture, a musician, and an artist, has traveled throughout the United States, Canada, and South America to learn of other indigenous cultures and their ancestral spirituality. As a national and international writer, he is dedicated to teaching about the diverse Native America traditional, and contemporary lifestyles.  Dr. LittleBear was invited to the 2000 Presidential Inauguration, has appeared on network television and radio, and is recognized by universities, colleges, and historical societies.

In addition to Dr. LittleBear’s presentation, the whole family can create a Native American timekeeping device, participate in various crafts, and enjoy entertainment throughout the event.

All the activities are included with Museum admission. For additional information, call Katie Knaub, the Museum’s Director of Education at 717-684-8261, ext. 237.  All 2007 public programs are sponsored in part by Sovereign Bank.

The National Watch and Clock Museum is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.  It is operated by the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, Inc., a nonprofit association with approximately 24,000 members, representing 55 countries. The Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and closed Sundays and Mondays.  Discounts are available to seniors, students, AAA members, and groups of 10 or more. Groups of 10 or more are encouraged to call ahead.  For more program information, directions, or general Museum information, call 717-684-8261 or visit our website at www.nawcc.org.