Webinar | The Common Clock: Clock Making in New England

Recording of the 3/2/2023 Webinar
In this webinar, join Tom Vaughn, Interpreter of Music and Performance at Old Sturbridge Village, as he describes the history of clock making in New England and his process of recreating the shelf clock of Emerson Bixby (1797-1870) from the Old Sturbridge Village collection. In the 18th century, clocks were considered luxury items, which required expensive materials and highly skilled craftsmanship. It was not until the late 18th century, when clockmakers began using lower-cost materials and instituting mass production techniques, that clocks became more accessible. Join us as we explore how and why clocks became so prevalent in early 19th-century New England homes.

[@ready4anything284]

Awesome info! Great presentation!

[@elizabeththequeen943]

Thank you! I totally enjoyed this. OSV has remarkable people working with them and, not only did I learn a lot, but I have a new respect for these early clocks.

[@Charlesdward6491]

I have an old Ingraham 8 day clock made in Bristol CT hanging in my office. It is old and a bit of the paint is missing. An eagle sits upon the top, underneath is the clock face. Below is a door with a painting of a small cottage and what looks like a fishing boat. Between the clock face and door is the neck with a vine of flowers painted on it. The label on the back says established in 1823. The clock still works tho I seldom wind it. I still have the original winding key intact. Wonder if your speaker would know the year of manufacture.

[@OldSturbridgeVillage]

You can email [e-mail] and we will forward your question to Tom.