Starting in the late 1700’s Western Connecticut was the center of clock making in the United States. That history is wonderfully shown by the American Clock and Watch Museum in Bristol CT, just west of Hartford. This museum contains a full history of clock making in the area, and is home to hundreds of phenomenal examples of clocks and watches from around the world.
Reproduction of early clock makers workshop
Eli Terry was the first person in the United States to develop a method for creating and producing a clock from standard sized parts. He developed a method of mass producing wooden parts and gears for the clock, and also for making clock small enough to fit an a shelf or mantel piece. This made clocks small enough to use and affordable to many people.
Chauncey Jerome apprenticed with Eli Terry, and them started his own company. By this time rolled brass was available, which made it much easier, faster and cheaper to mass produce clocks, and the industry took off. It has continued to be in Connecticut even today with the presence of TIMEX which began as the Waterbury Watch Company.
As I said the museum has many wonderful examples of clocks from around the world:
Solar system clock – the planets move around the sun, matching the actual movements.
This clock was owned by Benjamin Franklin – it’s hand rotates 3 times every 12 hours to mark the time.
Examples of shelf clocks from the Connecticut Valley
An example of an early time clock for factory workers.
Yes, the mouse runs up the clock, until it strikes one.
Visiting the American Clock and Watch Museum along with the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford and the Quadrangle Museums in Springfield MA make far a great weekend trip to the Connecticut River Valley.
