Newsroom Archive 2009

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December 30, 2009

Contact Name: Kim Craven - Communications Dept.
Phone: (717) 684-8261 - E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

HERSHEY’S 9TH WONDER OF THE WORLD

COLUMBIA, PA:  It can be found in Hershey, PA, and indeed it is the color of chocolate, but it’s not made of cocoa, and it’s certainly not sweet to eat!

Like the Watch and Clock Museum’s 1,049 pound “8th Wonder of the World” Engle Clock, a monumental clock with 48 moving figures, Chocolate Town now has an Apostolic Clock of its own at the Hershey Story museum.  Open daily year-round, the Museum guides visitors on an inspirational journey through Milton S. Hershey’s lifetime and beyond. 

In celebration of the Hershey Story’s first anniversary, the historic and beloved 132-year-old Apostolic Clock will operate on Sundays in January 2010.  The clock, completed by John Fiester in 1878, took 11 years to build and was proclaimed the “9th Wonder of the World.”  At a quarter to each hour, several mechanical figures, including Christ and his twelve apostles, appear to tell the story of the betrayal of Christ. 

The clock, now on display in the Grand Lobby, was purchased by Milton Hershey in 1935 from George Danner’s museum in Manheim, PA, which featured Pennsylvania German artifacts.  Mr. Hershey purchased the entire Danner collection to expand the former Hershey American Indian Museum.  This additional collection was cause to relocate and rename the facility “Hershey Museum.” 

The Fiester Apostolic clock was on display at Hershey Museum until the Museum closed in 2008.  “Due to some serious preservation issues, the clock can no longer operate on a regular basis,” said Valerie Seiber, collections manager. “When the Hershey Story museum opened in 2009, we chose to feature the clock in the Grand Lobby so all our visitors could admire it.”  A video next to the clock shows the procession and explains the clock’s history. 

The clock will operate on Sundays in January - at a quarter to each hour, starting at 10:45 a.m. and continuing through 4:45 p.m.  Operation is subject to change without notice, due to the clock’s operating condition.  Visit HersheyStory.org for more information.

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December 28, 2009

Contact Name: Kim Craven - Communications Dept.
Phone: (717) 684-8261 - E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

BRINGING THE MUSEUM HOME

COLUMBIA, PA:  Distance will no longer separate you from visiting the timepieces in the Museum’s collection.  Visit the Museum by never leaving your home or office. Why, you can even sit there all cozy in your pajamas and slippers and the Museum will come to you!

The NAWCC has debuted an online, searchable content management system that provides access to Museum collections. Whether you’re seeking information on a particular watch or clock or just interested in browsing through an extensive collection, you can now search online through the Museum’s timekeeping artifacts. The database includes over 11,500 object listings and 3,000 images.  The software used is Past Perfect (http://www.museumsoftware.com), an internationally recognized leader in the museum collection data management field.

The new system is capable of handling up to one million catalog records. It is designed to keep up with accessions, cataloging, loans, exhibits, condition reporting, and repatriation of objects.  “We’ve wanted to make the Museum’s collection accessible to NAWCC members and the general public for years. Only recently has the technology reached a point where it is affordable and easy, given the Museum’s limited resources,” states Museum Director Noel Poirier. “The database will be regularly updated with new pictures, new accessioned items, and feedback from the database users. We really want this to be a two-way line of communication.”

Visit the Museum’s collection at: http://www.nawcc.org/index.php/museum-collection/search-the-collection.  Look for additional upgrades in the near future, including a virtual Museum tour with audio and video clips.

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November 16, 2009

Contact Name: Kim Craven - Communications Dept.
Phone: (717) 684-8261 - E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

IT'S HOLIDAY TIME AT AREA MUSEUM!

COLUMBIA, PA: "It is better to give than to receive." Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or any other holiday, gift giving always seems to be a part of the festivities.

As part of the National Watch & Clock Museum's Second Hand Saturday program on Saturday, December 12, at 10 a.m., participants can use their creative ability to create a winter scene clock from a recycled CD to keep, or even better, give as a gift. After painting the CD with a holiday or winter scene, numbers and hands are applied, turning the finished piece into a work of art and an ideal handcrafted present.

After making a clock, the children are invited to visit with Santa Claus to tell them their wish list. Parents may bring cameras to take pictures while enjoying yuletide music and punch and cookies around the Christmas tree.

Cost is $10 for each person making a clock, and admission to the Museum is included with the workshop fee. Pre-registration is required by contacting the Education Department at 717-684-8261 ext. 237.

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November 10, 2009

CELEBRITY FROM THE NORTH POLE VISITING MUSEUM

COLUMBIA, PA:  His trademarks are the white beard, red suit, and big round belly, and he is making his second annual visit to the National Watch & Clock Museum this Christmas.  Instead of visiting two places in Columbia as he did last year, the Columbia Lion’s Club is joining the Museum in welcoming Santa in the Museum’s beautiful rotunda.

On Saturday, December 12, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. children are invited to visit with Santa Claus and share with him their holiday wishes. Parents are welcomed to bring cameras for picture taking and enjoy yuletide music and punch and cookies around the Christmas tree. The cookies will be extra good this year because rumor is that the wives of the Columbia Lion’s Club are baking them! 

“I was always convinced, even as a child, that Santa was able to manipulate time somehow in order to deliver all of those Christmas gifts,” states Museum Director Noel Poirier. “It’s only natural that Santa would want to come to the only national museum dedicated to the story and technology of time and timekeeping.”

The Museum’s Second Hand Saturday Family Timepiece Workshop will also be happening during Santa’s visit.

At 10 a.m. registered participants can use their creative ability to create a winter scene clock from a recycled CD. Cost is $10 for each person making a clock and admission to the Museum is included with the workshop fee.  Pre-registration is required by contacting the Education Department at 717-684-8261 ext. 237.

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NEW MUSEUM PROJECT SEEKS EXHIBIT SUBMISSIONS

The National Watch & Clock Museum is presenting an exhibit in 2010 that will present the technical and design development of the watch from the earliest pocket watches to the most modern wristwatches. As you are already aware, the National Watch & Clock Museum officially opened to the public in 1977 with fewer than 1,000 items. Since that time, the collection has increased to over 12,000 items. Today, the museum is recognized as the largest and most comprehensive horological collection in North America. The Museum's collection has always been strong in the areas of clocks and pocket watches. We hope that this exhibit, with NAWCC Member assistance, will enhance the Museum's ability to present the significance of the modern wristwatch as well to the history of horology.

The exhibit, Grand Complications: Art of the Watchmaker, will show how the production of timepieces has always combined a technical skill of the maker with an aesthetic panache. The scale of the watch amplifies these skills. Fine watchmakers have always combined both technical expertise and artistic awareness in the designs of their watches. As the market grew more competitive, so did the need to enhance and improve watches in both their mechanics and appearance. This exhibit will present fine watches from the earliest pocket watches to the modern wristwatch, and the artistic and technical skill of the watchmaker. In addition, the exhibit will incorporate artwork from artists who integrated watches into their work.

Members of the NAWCC have contributed greatly to the Museum's collection over the years and continue to support the Museum's exhibit schedule through the loan/donation of timepieces. The National Watch & Clock Museum is seeking the loan or donation of a timepiece(s) from NAWCC Members that best represents the highest level of technical and design aspects in watch making. We are specifically looking for early pocket watches by significant makers and high-end, modern wristwatches. Loans will be returned at the end of the exhibit while any timepiece(s) donated will become a permanent addition to the Museum collection, assisting us in our mission of presenting the wide scope of horological history, art and science.

If you have any questions regarding the exhibit, please feel free to contact me. I look forward to once again partnering with NAWCC Members on this exciting project.

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September 15, 2009

WINES & CHIMES

COLUMBIA, PA: Sip on some wine and check out the chimes! The National Watch and Clock Museum, Library & Research Center is holding its first wine-tasting event, “Wines & Chimes,” on Friday, October 23, from 6 to 9 p.m. 

The event will be highlighted by an evening of fine local wines, mouth watering foods from area restaurants, and live music while enjoying all the exhibits and collections.

Seven area wineries including Allegro Vineyards, Fox Ridge Vineyard & Winery, Moon Dancer Vineyards & Winery, Inc., Naylor Wine Cellars, Inc., Tamanend Winery, Twin Brook Winery, and West Hanover Winery, Inc. will offer samples of their finest wines. And what’s wine without something tasty to go with it?! Providing an array of delicious food to complement the wine will be local restaurants including A Taste of Styles, Bully’s Restaurant & Pub, Café Chocolate, Chef Tim Foods, Deli Delicious, The Flour Child Pastry & Bake Shop, Prudhomme’s Lost Cajun Kitchen, and the Railroad House.

While enjoying sampling the delicious wines and foods, local pianist Bernie Wickenheiser will delight guests with music throughout the evening. In addition, media sponsors 101 The Rose and Smooth Jazz 92.7 will be on hand to provide some additional music and offer fun giveaways.

In addition to the Museum’s exhibits, artwork inspired by the Museum’s collection will be displayed and for sale by the Parlor Gallery from Lancaster. Five artists from the Gallery recently visited the Museum and spent several hours photographing timepieces that they then used to create one-of-a-kind pieces of art. Toying with Time will show the artworks that were created during and after their visit to the Museum.

A limited number of tickets will be sold. Tickets are $25 and $15 for those not sampling wine. Ticket price also includes a commemorative wine glass, Museum admission, and the Parlor art exhibit and sale. To order tickets or for more information, visit www.clockmuseum.com or call 717-684-8261, ext 237.

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August 26, 2009 
Contact Name: Markus Harris - Communications Dept.
Phone: (717) 684-8261 - E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

NAWCC COMMUNITY NOW OPEN!

The NAWCC Community network—exclusively for NAWCC members—is open for use. Access the Community network at www.nawcc.org: click the “Community” link on the top navigation bar.

NAWCC Community users must have a registered email address and password, obtainable via Member Login located at the top right-hand corner on any NAWCC webpage. Use your registered email address and password to log on to the Community site.

Members who log on to the Community site and set up their Community profile can use the software in the following ways:

• Communicate with friends by using the onboard messaging software, which functions like email but can also be used as a message board or for instant messaging. 
• Meet other members and use the Message Group function to establish unique interest groups with flexible communication options. 
• Store and swap files through the file library. 
• Access Chapter “microsites”; establish your own Chapter site.

More to come! Soon users will be able to watch and exchange videos, slide shows, and other media in streaming formats. Classified advertising, similar to Craigslist but exclusively for NAWCC members, will also be available in the near future, as will NAWCC-sponsored online auctions—like eBay but for horological items only.

Help build the future! Online communication tools for NAWCC members—using today’s Internet technology—will allow us to create an outstanding horological “cyber space” with a worldwide reach that will enhance the membership experience of every participating NAWCC member.

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August 25, 2009

COLUMBIA, PA: If you get a thrill at the mention of a treasure map, eye patch, or chest of gold you may just be part pirate!

All pirates (and pirate wannabes) are invited to gather for “International Talk like a Pirate Day” on September 19 at the National Watch and Clock Museum! From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the day will be filled with pirate-like activities including:

• Designing your own treasure map
 
• Making your own compass to navigate through any high seas adventure
 
• Traveling on a treasure hunt through the Museum looking for timepiece treasures
  
  
• Creating an hourglass to tell time on a ship
 
• Making a captain’s hat and eye patch
 
• Decorating a treasure chest to hold all your loot

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August 20, 2009

FREE ADMISSION AT CLOCK MUSEUM WITH MUSEUM DAY PASS

COLUMBIA, PA: On Saturday, September 26, the National Watch and Clock Museum will participate in the fifth annual Museum Day presented by Smithsonian magazine. Museum Day is a day when admission to museums and cultural institutions nationwide is free to Smithsonian magazine readers and Smithsonian.com visitors. A celebration of culture, learning, and the dissemination of knowledge, Smithsonian’s Museum Day reflects the spirit of the magazine and emulates the free admission policy of the Smithsonian Institution’s Washington, DC, locations. Last year approximately 200,000 people from all 50 states plus Puerto Rico visited the 900 participating museums on Museum Day.

Visitors must present Smithsonian magazine’s Museum Day Admission Card to gain free entry to the National Watch and Clock Museum and other participating institutions. Download the Museum Day Admission Card and find listings and links to participating museums at www.smithsonian.com/museumday. Each card provides museum access for two people, and one admission card per household is permitted.

“The National Watch & Clock Museum thought it was important for us to take part in the Museum Day event to ensure that everyone in our community has the opportunity to explore and discover the Museum’s extensive nationally significant collection,” states Museum Director Noel Poirier.

With over 12,000 timepieces in its collection, the Museum currently has two special exhibits on display. Time & Exploration: Earth, Sea, and Space shows how navigation of our world has changed over time and the new tools that have been created to assist in its exploration. A Sense of Time has brought 75 East Asian “fire clocks” and other cultural material which present the significance of incense to Asian culture.

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WHAT’S THAT OLD CLOCK WORTH?

COLUMBIA, PA: Whether you’re a professional or a hobbyist, and have “lots of time on your hands” there is a clock course to help you determine the identification, history, and value of your treasured timepieces.

The National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors’ Clock Appraisal Course will be held October 12-17 at its headquarters at 514 Poplar Street in Columbia. During four of the six days, professionals and novices will be introduced to the identification of clock types, key characteristics, and components; the role of construction and materials in the proper identification of clocks; basic understanding of clock conservation, restoration, refinishing, and repairs; and subsequent impact on value.

An overview of the evolution of clock types, appropriate terminology, and criteria for making value judgments based on comparative analysis will be covered. Participants will learn clock examination techniques, what to photograph on a clock, and research tools and methods. They will also learn how to apply critical appraisal skills such as qualitative ranking, classification, rarity determination, and how to write accurate descriptions.

This course also includes a bonus-day-and-a-half focus for the appraisal novice (NAWCC Members) about clock description writing, and an overview of the need for learning USPAP requirements, and appraisal methodology, and practices and where this training can be taken. Please note that class size is limited, so be sure to register early. This is an intense course and will require evening reading and research assignments. 

Joe Cohen, SFNAWCC instructor for the course, explains, “When appraisers asked me 15 years ago whether such a clock course existed, I developed an 8-week course which has been an unqualified success locally, but it did not fulfill the greater need nationally. Now with the support of the NAWCC, this 24-hour course has been revamped to a five- and-a-half-day appraiser course, which is more convenient for working appraisers and is the only such program offered across the country. Three of the main appraisers’ associations have unanimously agreed that such a course is long overdue and definitely needed, and with this course I am greatly looking forward to fulfilling that need!”

The cost for the full six-day registration is $1,000; the four-day clock examination portion for appraiser is $900. Both registrations include all necessary course books and handout material. The NAWCC Museum, Library, and School of Horology will be available to participants. All class participants will need to have a laptop computer for use during this course. Rentals can be provided for those who do not have their own. 

Please note that class size is limited, so be sure to register early. This is an intense course and will require evening reading, use of the NAWCC Library, and research assignments. For further information and to register, contact Director of Education Katie Knaub at 717-684-8261 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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August 13, 2009

ANOTHER FREE MOVIE!

COLUMBIA, PA: TIME for another free movie! Escape the summer heat and head to the Museum for a free movie and popcorn!

The National Watch and Clock Museum is showing its third free summer movie Mulan on Friday, August 28. Rated G, the 84-minute family movie is one that all ages will enjoy. Mulan is a young girl in ancient China. When the Huns start attacking the country, the emperor orders one member of every family to join the Chinese Army and defend the country. The one member must be a man, but in Mulan’s family, the only male is her injured father. Not wanting to allow her father to die, Mulan dresses like a man and escapes into the night to join the war. To protect her, the ancient elders of her family ask the great Stone Dragon to watch over her. Unfortunately, the great Stone Dragon is destroyed by the little tiny dragon Mushu (Eddie Murphy). So with Mushu and a small cricket by her side, Mulan heads off to help destroy the Huns. When she’s discovered as a woman, she forces Captain Shang to keep her in the army, becomes his best trooper, and eventually secures an important victory that may save the emperor, all of which happens while falling in love with Shang.

Mark your calendars for one remaining free movie scheduled:

September 19 Pirates of the Caribbean (movie will begin at 4 p.m. on this date only)

Mulan is being presented in conjunction with the Museum’s new exhibit, A Sense of Time. The Museum usually closes its doors at 5 p.m., but on August 28 will extend its hours until the movie begins at 6 p.m. Early attendance is suggested because seating is limited. Call Director of Education Katie Knaub for additional information at 717-684-8261 ext. 237.

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August 13, 2009 
Contact Name: Markus Harris - Communications Dept.
Phone: (717) 684-8261 - E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

NEW NAWCC COMMUNITY SOFTWARE TO DEBUT IN AUGUST

In an effort to improve communications throughout the Association and to harness the interactivity of the internet to best benefit our members, the NAWCC will soon be implementing, “The NAWCC Community,” new social-interaction software for members.

Seamlessly integrated into our existing website, members will be able to log into the new Community section using their NAWCC user ID (email address) and member password to gain access to a number of special interactive features.

User Directory

Each NAWCC member will be able to maintain a user profile listing their personal interests and contact information. Profiles may be as detailed (or as private) as one likes. Using these profiles, members can create personal friend lists, email one another directly, join email discussion groups, view private content, or exchange files with one another.

Groups

Members will be able to subscribe to discussion groups, based either on chapter affiliation or horological interest. Subscribe to as many groups as you want--the sky's the limit. These groups are similar to Yahoo Groups, and interaction can be customized for individual emails, weekly email digests, or Web-based message board style-viewing.

Don't see a group based on your particular area of interest? Contact us to suggest one. It's easy!

Resource Libraries

Upload files to your chapter's file library or to other file collections based on your horological interests. Share pictures, documents, and media files with friends and fellow members, either privately or via public resource libraries.

Glossary

Add terms and information by contributing to an ever-expanding encyclopedic glossary of horological terminology and knowledge.

Events

Keep track of NAWCC events via the new soon-to-be unveiled universal calendar, which will be searchable by event name, location, or category. Register for events directly from the calendar by simply selecting an event and clicking on the "Register" link. 

Web Hosting

NAWCC sponsored websites for individual chapters, which can be easily maintained by chapter representatives (with no need for special Web design software), and which may be as simple or complex as desired. Special websites for Regional and National Events, horological events, etc., can be quickly and efficiently set up and hosted via the NAWCC webserver. All the Web support and member interactivity you will ever need for your interaction in the Association is all in one place!

The NAWCC Community site is currently in the final testing phase and will officially open in August.

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MESSAGE FROM THE BOD CHAIR

A SENSE OF TIME

COLUMBIA, PA: To see what time it is, most of us glance at the watch on our wrist, the clock on the wall, or maybe the cell phone in our pocket. But certainly not incense that may be wafting in the air!

It’s been said that the National Watch and Clock Museum has “all the time in the world”; with the opening of A Sense of Time on August 28, it’s now truer than ever! More than 70 East Asian “fire clocks” and other cultural material will present the significance of incense to Asian culture.

Education Director Katie Knaub explains, “Incense played such an important role in so many aspects of daily life in East Asia from the most ancient times and formed part of so many functions, that it is not surprising that it was eventually used for time measurement. The regular burning of incense has been used for chronological measurement in incense clocks for centuries. The devices can range from a simple trail of incense material calibrated to burn in a specific time period, to elaborate and ornate instruments with bells or gongs designed to involve and captivate several of the senses.”

The collection of East Asian fire clocks was assembled by the late James Kallison of San Antonio, TX, during the last quarter of the 20th century and is now in the hands of Doug Cowan, the curator for A Sense of Time.

Cowan explains, “My interest in incense clocks began when I discovered that there were incense timepieces used in Japan and even more in China, beginning as early as the 9th century AD. When the Kallison incense clock collection appeared likely to be dispersed in China, I urged the family to agree to an NAWCC Museum exhibit in order to raise awareness in the USA concerning these unusual objects, and to respect William Kallister Sr.’s achievement in assembling this outstanding collection.”

A Sense of Time will continue through April 30, 2010. Special events include an Asian Tea, on November 14, will highlight this special exhibit. Financial support has been provided by the Donegal Insurance Company and an NAWCC private donor.

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July 17, 2009 
Contact Name: Markus Harris - Communications Dept.
Phone: (717) 684-8261 - E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

NAWCC PARTNERS WITH PRINTINGFORLESS.COM TO BENEFIT MEMBERS

In choosing PrintingForLess.com as the exclusive Print Partner for the NAWCC Member Benefits Program, NAWCC has taken the guesswork out of locating a high quality print shop for your marketing collateral.

Printing for Less is a digital printing service which prints and ships all manner of printed materials on demand. From a small order of business cards, all the way up to large multiple page four-color brochures and magazines (and beyond!) Printing for Less uses a simple online order form and the power of the digital internet to bring their high quality and low prices to the entire United States and beyond! 

Due to a recent affinity partnership with the NAWCC, our NAWCC members now receive a 10% discount on all orders placed with PrintingForLess.com!

About PrintingForLess.com:

PrintingForLess.com is the leading source for online commercial printing and one of the fastest growing private companies in the country, delivering remarkable, customer interactions for small and mid-sized businesses while producing printed marketing materials (brochures, postcards, catalogs, magnets, cards, stationery, business cards, and more) in an environmentally friendly manner.

If you want professional-quality marketing materials, including brochures, postcards, stationery, catalogs, presentation folders, newsletters and business cards, there is no substitute for true 4-color process lithography, printed on genuine Heidelberg printing presses. Now you can get high-quality full-color printing from any Mac or PC file including Quark, Publisher, Photoshop, InDesign, Word, with instant online pricing, ordering and proofing.

Is it Safe to Buy High-Quality Printing Online? PrintingForLess.com is the first and the largest online full-color printing service, and offers a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. If for any reason you aren't fully satisfied with your printed piece, they will either reprint it or provide a full refund. You can feel confident with PrintingForLess.com's A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

To qualify for your discount, simply visit our special co-branded NAWCC Members page at PrintingforLess.com:

http://www.printingforless.com/C/index.html?CB=NAWCC

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LUBBOCK REGIONAL CANCELED

FIVE STATE COLLECTORS
NAWCC Chapter 80:

Because of unforeseen circumstances, Chapter 80 has canceled the Regional that was scheduled for August 14 & 15, 2009 in Lubbock, Texas.

However, they will be holding a One-Day Mart on Saturday, September 12, 2009 in Plainview, Texas. The Mart will be held in Herb Wallace’s Building located one mile West of Interstate 27 on Farm Road 194. (This is in the Northwest Corner of the City of Plainview, Texas.) The Mart will be limited to 50 tables. An educational program will also be provided. 

For more information about the Plainview One-Day Mart, please contact Herb Wallace at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 806-293-3538 (home) or 806-292-4402 (cell).

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July 1, 2009

FREE MOVIE!

COLUMBIA, PA: Escape the summer heat and head to the Museum for a free movie and popcorn!

The National Watch and Clock Museum is showing its second free summer movie Treasure Planet on Friday, July 24. Rated PG, the 96-minute adventure is an appropriate movie for the whole family. In the film, 15-year-old Jim Hawkins stumbles upon a map to the greatest pirate trove in the universe. The tale follows Jim’s fantastic journey across a parallel universe as cabin boy aboard a glittering space galleon. Befriended by the ship’s charismatic cyborg (part man, part machine) cook John Silver, Jim blossoms under his guidance.

Mark your calendars for these other free movies coming up later this summer:

August 28: - Mulan 
September 19: - Pirates of the Caribbean (movie will begin at 4 p.m. on this date only)

The series of free summer movies is being presented in conjunction with the Museum’s new Time & Exploration exhibit. The Museum usually closes its doors at 5 p.m., but on July 24th and August 28 will extend its hours until the movie begins at 6 p.m. Early attendance is suggested because seating is limited. Call Director of Education Katie Knaub for additional information at 717-684-8261 ext. 237.

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GOT EXTRA TIME ON YOUR HANDS?

COLUMBIA, PA: Do you have time on your hands and aren’t sure what to do with it? Consider taking a workshop sponsored by the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors’ School of Horology located directly across the street from the National Watch and Clock Museum in Columbia. Designed for beginner and advanced students, the workshops build confidence, knowledge, and skills in watch and clock repair and maintenance through hands-on learning.

Among the many workshops being offered this summer are:

WS-124 Dial Restoration and Painting with Phil Gregory: August 8-9

WS-111 Servicing a Pocket Watch for the Beginner: August 22-23

Dial Restoration and Painting is an introductory workshop that enables the students to develop tools and techniques to refurbish the dial on a favorite clock. All materials and supplies are provided; however, students are welcome to bring their own dials. The workshop fee is $190 for NAWCC members ($230 for the general public) and the lab fee is $50.

Servicing a Pocket Watch, focusing on American watches, is a hands-on workshop which introduces the student to the proper method in servicing pocket watches and is open to both the beginner and the advanced collector. As usual, all materials and tools will be supplied, but students are welcome to bring their own watches. The workshop fee is $190 for NAWCC members ($230 for the general public) and the lab fee is $80.

Registration is typically three weeks prior to the workshop date. Generally, all materials, supplies, and machinery are provided. Workshops are held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., including two 15-minute breaks and 1 hour for lunch. For registration information and a full workshop schedule with descriptions of these and all the other workshops, visit the following link: NAWCC Workshop Schedule. You may also call Director of Education Katie Knaub at 717-684-8261, ext. 237 for more information.

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SCHOOL GRADUATES STUDENTS FROM CLOCK PROGRAM

COLUMBIA, PA: The National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors’ School of Horology in Columbia, PA, recently graduated 10 students from its Clock Program.

Whether the student is an aspiring professional or a serious hobbyist, the School’s Clock Program begins with an introduction to simple time-and-strike clocks and then to other more complicated mechanisms. Advanced topics such as gear cutting, machine tools, and escapement repair and fabrication are also addressed.

Graduates, fully equipped with knowledge and skills in the art of clock repair and restoration, are well prepared to successfully repair a wide variety of clocks. The Clock Program consists of 8 two-week courses and 2 three-week courses.

The School of Horology is licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Education Division of Private Licensed Schools and is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT). The School of Horology is dedicated to the preparation of students for entry into horological business fields. The School’s mission is to preserve established skills and knowledge of the art of clock and watch making, repair, and restoration, while encouraging interest in horological research. Class size is strictly limited to ensure students receive the personalized instruction necessary to master the specialized skills. 

WE'RE GOING TIME TRAVELING!

The National Watch & Clock Museum is again offering an opportunity for NAWCC Members to pay a visit to the National Watch & Clock Museum and the NAWCC School of Horology. Our inaugural tour in April was great fun and we enjoyed immensely meeting with members of the NAWCC and treating them to a very special experience.

The National Watch and Clock Museum invites you to join them in a very special experience! Located in the town of Columbia, Pennsylvania in beautiful Lancaster County, participants will be treated to three days of “special.”

Begin with a fine dinner at your full service hotel in Lancaster including two lounges—one in a tree! Here your host will introduce you to the days of touring that will follow.

The National Watch and Clock Museum has put together a half day of touring the museum, studying the collection and the storing of it. They have planned a catered luncheon in the rotunda of the museum and then a tour of the School of Horology.

Next there will be a “Behind the Scenes” tour at the unusual York Heritage Agricultural & Industrial Museum. Participants will see and handle artifacts that are not on display to the general public!

Members will meet the famous du Pont family in the Brandywine Valley and be treated to special tour at the Hagley Museum and Library, the original home of the du Ponts and the gun powder works founded in 1802. This unique museum will rollout the red carpet for you.

Participants savor a local winery and experience some of the local culture with a private Farmland tour of south central Pennsylvania as well as local PA Dutch food!

Be assured that you cannot have this experience any other way!!! Everything is in place, all you need to do is register. Do it today!!! Space will be limited to one motorcoach.

The price of this trip is as follows: Heritage Hotel $519.00, (Prices are per person, double occupancy) Price without lodging $370.00. The price includes motorcoach transportation, lodging for four days/three nights, full breakfasts, two lunches, three dinners, special behind-the-scenes tour at York County Heritage Agricultural & Industrial Museum, all admission fees to museums, wine samplings at a local winery, Farmland tour wineries, tip for driver, all taxes and gratuities.

Registration is $100.00 deposit per person. Balance due September 10, 2009.

Visit Tour Webpage

Download Tour Flyer in .pdf Format

Mail to: Noel Poirier, National Watch and Clock Museum, 514 Poplar Street, Columbia, PA 17512-2130

Questions? Call 717-684-8261.

We hope to see you!

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HOPS ’N CLOCKS

COLUMBIA, PA: Sip on some hops and check out the clocks! The National Watch and Clock Museum is holding its annual beer-tasting event, “Hops ’n Clocks,” on Friday, July 10, from 6 to 9 p.m. Come see a tallcase clock made almost exclusively of beer cans, designed by artist Randall Cleaver!

Randall Cleaver’s work combines what has been discarded to create timekeeping artifacts. Creating with found objects started as an inexpensive way to obtain materials, but soon, the objects themselves became a source of inspiration. So it is with the beer cans! Randall’s biography and examples of his creations can be viewed at http://www.inliquid.com/artist/cleaver_randall/cleaver.php.

Five area breweries including Appalachian Brewing, Lancaster Brewing, Market Cross Pub and Brewery, Pabst Blue Ribbon, and Union Barrel Works will offer samples of their finest brews. And what’s beer without something to go with it?! Providing delicious food to complement the beer will be local caterers including A Taste of Style, Chef Tim Foods, John Wright Restaurant, McCleary’s Public House, and Prudhomme’s Lost Cajun Kitchen.

To add to the fun, The Beekeepers will keep things lively with acoustic rock music played throughout the evening. The three-piece band from West Chester, PA, has entertained audiences in a variety of venues, but they especially look forward to playing where they have “all the time in the world!”

A limited number of tickets will be sold. Tickets are $25 and $15 for those not sampling beer. Ticket price also includes a commemorative glass, Museum admission and interaction with artist Randall Cleaver and seeing his creations. To order tickets or for more information, visit www.nawcc.org or call 717-684-8261, ext. 237.

Media sponsors for Hops ’n Clocks include 101 The Rose and Smooth Jazz 92.7.

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NATIONAL WATCH & CLOCK MUSEUM TO AUCTION ITEMS AT 2009 CONVENTION

COLUMBIA, PA: A number of items have been formally de-accessioned from the National Watch & Clock Museum collection, and are slated to be put up for auction at the 2009 National Convention in Grand Rapids. All proceeds from the auctioned items will go back into the Museum Collections Acquisition Fund, to finance future collection purchases. Items being auctioned include:

The auction will be held on Saturday, June 13. Visit the National Convention webpage for more information about the 2009 Convention: http://www.nawcc.org/index.php/2009-national .

Any questions can be directed to Museum Director Noel Poirier at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

THREE, TWO, ONE, LIFT OFF!

COLUMBIA, PA: Young explorers seeking fun and adventure should sign up for one of several camps at the National Watch and Clock Museum held along with Time & Exploration: Earth, Sea and Space, the newest special exhibit at the Museum.

Land Navigation (July 14 or 16) Kids will become explorers and surveyors as they learn about historic and modern exploration techniques that were used to survey the United States and how the measurement of time was an important factor. Activities include making a compass, sundials, scavenger hunt, and letterboxing.

Sea Navigation (July 21 or 23) Kids will go on a high seas adventure to explore how different cultures navigated the ocean and how time has played an important role in navigation. Activities include making navigation and timing instruments for sea navigation and even a boat race against the clock!

Space Navigation (July 28 or 30) Three, Two, One, Lift Off! Kids will travel into outer space to explore the solar system and learn how scientists use time to explore the universe. Activities include making a star clock, learning how time is important in rocket launching, discovering how Lancaster was involved in telling time on Mars, and seeing a piece of the moon up close!

“Programs like this are a great opportunity to teach young children how time and timekeeping has played an important role in history and science through interactive activities that let them experience it for themselves,” states Director of Education Katie Knaub.

All the camps are designed for children entering grades 1-6. Tuesday camps are held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Thursday camps run from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The cost is $15 per child. However, a discount is offered for more than one child from the same household or enrollment in more than one camp program. Advanced registration is required by calling the Education Department at 717-684-8261, ext. 237 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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May 4, 2009

FREE MOVIES AT WATCH AND CLOCK MUSEUM!

COLUMBIA, PA: Take yourself or your whole 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 a comfortable, air-conditioned theater!

The National Watch and Clock Museum is starting its series of free summer movies on Friday, May 29, with National Treasure. Rated PG, the 124-minute adventure movie stars Nicolas Cage and Diane Kruger. In the film, Cage is a treasure hunter in hot pursuit of a mythical treasure that has been passed down for centuries. His employer-turned enemy is also attempting to find it and will do whatever it takes to discover it first! 

Mark your calendars and plan on attending these other free movies that will be shown on the following dates:

July 24 - Treasure Planet 
August 28 - Mulan 
September 19 - Pirates of the Caribbean (movie will begin at 4 p.m. on this date only)

The series of free summer movies is being presented in conjunction with the Museum’s new Time & Exploration exhibit. The Museum usually closes its doors at 5 p.m., but on May 29th, July 24th, and August 28 will extend its hours until the movie begins at 6 p.m. Early attendance is suggested because seating is limited. Call Director of Education Katie Knaub for additional information at 717-684-8261 ext. 237.

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A GIFT OF TIME!

COLUMBIA, PA: For Mother’s Day, perfume, dinner out, and flowers are all very popular gift ideas. But how about a gift of time, which EVERY mother needs!

The National Watch and Clock Museum is holding a Mother’s Day Family Timepiece Workshop on Saturday, May 9, at 10 a.m. Family members are invited to choose from a wide array of beads to create a special wristwatch for the lady who has done so much for her family. Mothers are also certainly welcome to attend and personally create their own timepiece. Either way, the creation will be a gift used and enjoyed for many years to come.

“A workshop like this one is another opportunity the Museum has to encourage families to visit and show that the Museum is not only educational, but a whole lot of fun too - for all ages,” stated Director of Education Katie Knaub.

Cost is $15 for each wristwatch, and admission to the Museum is included with the workshop fee. Preregistration is required by contacting the Education Department at 717-684-8261, ext. 237. This program is sponsored in part through a grant by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

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April 9, 2009

Contact Name: Kim Craven - Communications Dept.
Phone: (717) 684-8261 - E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

THE NATIONAL: IT’S MORE THAN A CONVENTION – IT’S A VACATION!

COLUMBIA, PA: Western Michigan Chapter 101of the NAWCC is hosting the 64th Annual Convention at the DeVos Place Convention Center in Grand Rapids, MI, June 10-13. If you haven’t attended any previous Conventions, it’s an excellent time to meet with fellow members and friends who share your passion for watch and clock collecting, learning, and trading.

Cathy Koolen will give the keynote address on the “Dutch Clock Making Industry” at 7 p.m. Wednesday evening, followed by a full slate of presentations throughout the rest of the Convention. A complete schedule of the presentations can be found on our website, on the Nationals Page (http://www.nawcc.org/index.php/2009-national ) by clicking on “Education Opportunities.”

Of course the Mart is also a highlight with up to 900 tables of watches, clocks, and parts for members to purchase and trade. Over 600 tables have already been reserved, so if you are interested in being a vendor, please register soon.

Volunteers are needed in the Mart! Numerous time slots are available, and all volunteers earn a free lunch! To volunteer, contact Chair Ron Rowe weekdays until 5 p.m. at 231-652-2642 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. In the evening and on weekends Ron can be reached at 231-652-2177.

Among the other highlights of the Convention are the exhibit, Craft Contest, Junior Horology Program, Watch and Clock Evaluation, Field Suitcase Workshops, two auctions, and the optional breathtaking Meijer Garden Tour, which really should not be an option! 

Preregistration for the Convention closes May 25, and the deadline for a special rate on hotel accommodations is May 10. Additional information is available at www.nawcc2009national.org or by contacting Registration Co-chairs Anita and Ed Bikowitz at 616-791-7437 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

ONLINE EVENT REGISTRATION

A new option is available to NAWCC members, in addition to the traditional mail-in registration form. Online registration is now in place to provide a faster and more efficient way to register for the National (and other events). The process is absolutely secure; all personal information is encrypted by our registration software.

To register online, simply go to our new and improved website at http://www.nawcc.org:

1. On the top right, click on “Member login.” 
2. Enter your logon name (email address) and password. Please call us at 1-877-255-1849 if you have any difficulty.
3. Click on “View and Register” for Events. 
4. Clicking on the National Convention will take you to an information page. 
5. Click “Register.” 
6. Some of your information will already be completed for you. Be certain to complete any asterisked info.
7. As you proceed, there will be the option to sign up for numerous opportunities and answer some questions.
8. You will see a summary of what you’ve signed up for, the costs, and the payment you’re choosing to use.

Hope to see you in Grand Rapids in June!

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April 6, 2009

Contact Name: Kim Craven - Communications Dept.
Phone: (717) 684-8261 - E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

RESULTS OF THE 2009 ELECTION

COLUMBIA, PA: The NAWCC Nominating and Elections Committee has received notification from Trout, Ebersole and Groff, Certified Public Accountants, who were charged with the responsibility of receiving ballots and tabulating members’ votes in the 2009 Election. The results follow, with the successful candidates indicated by an asterisk (*):

Director – Four Year Term

• Michael Dempsey - 777 votes
 
• Phillip Gregory - 742 votes
 
• Gary Landis - 608 votes
 
• Robert Linkenhoker - 543 votes
 
• Thomas McIntyre - 757 votes
 
• Fortunat Mueller-Maerki - 796 votes
 
• *Joanne Orr - 853 votes
 
• Timothy Orr - 737 votes
 
• *Ruth Overton - 867 votes
 
• *Jerry Thornsberry - 819 votes
 
• *Gene Volk - 1062 votes

Nominations and Elections Committee - Four Year Term

• *Kermit Duckett - 1067 votes
 
• Mary Ann Wahlner - 695 votes

A total of 1998 ballots were received by the audit firm. Of these, 91 ballots were invalid. Trout, Ebersole and Groff explained these ballots were invalid because they had no membership number or the membership number was invalid.

On behalf of the NAWCC Membership, the Board of Directors, the Nominating and Elections Committee and the Staff, congratulations are offered to the successful candidates and appreciation is extended to all candidates for their willingness to serve NAWCC.

Doug Cowan, Chair
Nominating and Elections Committee 

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Mar. 31, 2009

Contact Name: Kim Craven - Marketing/PR
Phone: (717) 684-8261 - E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

IT’S NEW AND IMPROVED!

The new NAWCC website is now up and running. The new site uses a content management system that streamlines site maintenance and displays information in a user-friendly format. Content upgrades will continue for several weeks as data archives are transferred and linked to the new system. Advanced features, including a members-only virtual bidding system, a member-generated horological wiki, social networking software, streaming video of classes and workshops, and an upgraded virtual Museum tour, will soon be implemented.

The creation of an online archive of the NAWCC Bulletin is now in process. Members will soon be able to view Bulletin content online after searching the existing online Bulletin index. A big thank you goes to Florida Chapter 68, whose donation in memory of Dr. Theodore Crom has helped to fund this project.

Check back over the next few months as menus are expanded and new features become available!

The National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC, Inc.) is a nonprofit, 501(C)(3) organization with close to 21,000 members, representing 52 countries. NAWCC operates the School of Horology, an accredited institution offering instruction 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.

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Mar. 20, 2009

Contact Name: Kim Craven - Marketing/PR
Phone: (717) 684-8261 - E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

COLUMBIA, PA: For more than half-a-century, the James Bond character has relied on his wristwatch for everything from tracking enemies to demonstrating his “sheer magnetism” in romance.

When Agent 007’s creator, Ian Fleming, wrote the fantastic stories that started it all in the early 1950s, he often focused on “time” as a means of building tension and engaging his readers. This has remained a constant throughout the EON Productions films, which include famous count-downs to missile-launches spelling certain global destruction — if James Bond doesn’t make it in time!

“Where would James Bond be without his wristwatch?” is one of the featured presentations the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (“NAWCC”) will host on June 13, 2009, during its upcoming four-day Annual Convention in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The talk will be given by Dell Deaton, highlighting details about his discovery of the original literary-Bond wristwatch. Mr. Deaton is also creator of the www.jamesbondwatches.com website.

The NAWCC Convention presentation will feature examples of James Bond watch models from Breitling, Omega, Rolex, and Seiko. The NAWCC Convention is open to the public on Saturday, June 13. For additional information, visit http://www.nawcc.org/2009national/2009nationalnew.html or contact Convention Chairs Ed or Anita Berkowitz at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC, Inc.) is a nonprofit, 501(C)(3) organization with close to 21,000 members, representing 52 countries. NAWCC operates the School of Horology, an accredited institution offering instruction 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.

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Mar. 19, 2009
Contact Name: Kim Craven - Marketing/PR
Phone: (717) 684-8261 - E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

TEDDY BEAR TIME

COLUMBIA, PA: With the arrival of spring comes spring-cleaning, the planting of flowers, and best of all - picnics! The National Watch and Clock Museum is ready for spring and has planned a picnic to which everyone is invited.

The Museum is holding a “Teddy Bear Picnic” Family Timepiece Workshop on April 18 at 10 a.m. Participants are invited to bring their teddy bears and after enjoying a teddy bear snack, create a clock to take home. The wooden clock is in the shape of a teddy bear with the face of the clock in the bear’s tummy! After painting and decorating the framework, a clock is inserted and batteries are installed. Participants are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch that can be shared with their teddy bears after the creation of their clocks.

“The Museum enjoys welcoming all members of the family and would never discourage a teddy bear’s visit. After all, they deserve to learn how to tell time too! That’s why we have this special event being held in their honor,” stated Marketing spokesperson, Kim Craven.

Cost is $15 for each clock, and admission to the Museum is included with the workshop fee. Preregistration is required by contacting the Education Department at 717-684-8261, ext. 237. This program is sponsored in part though a grant by 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 close to members, representing 52 countries. April through November the Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. December through March hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 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.

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Mar. 13, 2009
Contact Name: Kim Craven - Marketing/PR
Phone: (717) 684-8261 - E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

IS THERE A TREASURE ON YOUR MANTELPIECE?

COLUMBIA, PA: Dig out, dust off, and bring in that heirloom clock you inherited from your great-grandma, and learn when, where, and how it was made at the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors’ School of Horology in Columbia.

The two-day workshop, “Getting to Know Your Heirloom Clock,” on May 9 and 10, is for beginners who want to learn:

The history of their clock
Basic maintenance
How to adjust the clock
Why a clock must be serviced

Instructor for the workshop is NAWCC member, Charles Flores, who was the first graduate of the full watch and clock program at the School of Horology. Flores has enjoyed leading workshops and especially enjoys sharing his knowledge with those eager to know more about the history and maintenance of their timepieces. Flores has also been active in volunteering for the NAWCC Library and Research Center, the Museum, and the School and assisted with the restoration of the Engle clock, one of the Museum’s signature timepieces. Currently Flores is writing a book on watch crystals.

The workshop will be held on Saturday and Sunday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. and includes two 15-minute breaks and 1 hour for lunch. The cost is $85, but for Association members the cost is $60. The deadline to register is April 24. For registration information and a full workshop schedule with descriptions of this workshop and others, visit www.horology.edu and follow the continuing education links. You may also call Director of Education Katie Knaub at 717-684-8261, ext. 237 for more information.

The School of Horology is licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Education Division of Private Licensed Schools and is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT). The School of Horology is dedicated to the preparation of students for entry into horological business fields. The School’s mission is to preserve established skills and knowledge of the art of clock and watch making, repair, and restoration, while encouraging interest in horological research. Class size is strictly limited to ensure students receive the personalized instruction necessary to master the specialized skills.

The NAWCC School of Horology is a division of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Hundreds of students have come through the School’s programs since it opened in 1995. The NAWCC also operates the National Watch & Clock Museum and Library and Research Center in Columbia, PA. Additional information can be obtained by visiting our website at www.nawcc.org.

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Mar. 12, 2009
Contact Name: Kim Craven - Marketing/PR
Phone: (717) 684-8261 - E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

MEMBERSHIP GROWTH, BENEFITS & SERVICES COMMITTEE READY TO GO AND LOOKING FOR MEMBERS!

COLUMBIA, PA: In order to meet the ongoing needs of the NAWCC and its members, a new committee has been formed under the direction of Canadian Chapter 92 member, Kathy Koolen.

“Two of the goals of this new committee are to survey members to find out what additional services they feel the NAWCC could offer and to specifically reach out to members who do not attend regionals and are not members of chapters to see if they have special needs that we are currently not meeting. Internet courses are a possibility of one area where we could support long-distance members who otherwise would not have access to our resources,” explained Koolen.

Over the last few years, committee Chair Koolen has taken her commitment to the success of the NAWCC very seriously. Having been a member since 2000, she has served as president of Southwestern Chapter 92 with additional memberships in Chapters 33 and 6. Currently, she is serving on the Chapter Relations Committee and has been on the Nominating and Elections Committee for the past two years.

Koolen and committee members Phil Gregory and Steve Humphrey are looking for those members who might be interested in joining them. If you are interested in serving on the committee, contact Koolen at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. She will be glad to respond and talk with those who would like to learn more. If necessary, the size of the committee may need to be monitored to ensure it operates efficiently and proves to be a productive NAWCC committee.

The National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC, Inc.) is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization with close to 21,000 members, representing 52 countries. NAWCC operates the School of Horology, an accredited institution offering instruction 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.

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Feb. 27, 2009
Contact Name: Kim Craven - Marketing/PR
Phone: (717) 684-8261 - E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

COLUMBIA, PA: Do you have time on your hands and aren’t sure what to do with it? Consider taking a workshop sponsored by the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors’ School of Horology located directly across the street from the National Watch and Clock Museum in Columbia. Designed for beginner and advanced students, the workshops build confidence, knowledge, and skills in watch and clock repair and maintenance through hands-on learning.

Spring 2009 Continuing Education:

WS-130 Introduction to Hand Engraving: March 27-29 – Almost filled!
WS-115 Basic Clock Repair 1 – Bushing a Clock: April 18-19
WS-110 Basic Clock Case Repair: April 25-26
WS-116 Basic Clock Repair 2: Polishing Pivots and Repivoting Clock Wheels: May 2-3
WS-101 Getting to Know Your Heirloom Clock: May 9-10
WS-111 Servicing a Pocket Watch for the Beginner: May 16-17

Registration is typically three weeks prior to the workshop date. Generally, all materials, supplies, and machinery are provided. Workshops are generally held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., including two 15-minute breaks and 1 hour for lunch. For registration information and a full workshop schedule with descriptions of these and all the other workshops, visit www.horology.edu and follow the continuing education links. You may also call Director of Education Katie Knaub at 717-684-8261, ext. 237 for more information.

The School of Horology is licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Education Division of Private Licensed Schools and is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT). The School of Horology is dedicated to the preparation of students for entry into horological business fields. The School’s mission is to preserve established skills and knowledge of the art of clock and watch making, repair, and restoration, while encouraging interest in horological research. Class size is strictly limited to ensure students receive the personalized instruction necessary to master the specialized skills.

The NAWCC School of Horology is a division of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Hundreds of students have come through the School’s programs since it opened in 1995. The NAWCC also operates the National Watch & Clock Museum and Library and Research Center in Columbia, PA. Additional information can be obtained by visiting our website at www.nawcc.org.

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Feb. 4, 2009
Contact Name: Kim Craven - Marketing/PR
Phone: (717) 684-8261 - E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

COLUMBIA, PA: Time never stands still at the National Watch and Clock Museum, especially when there is a Walking Clock that will be taking one last jog down its boardwalk.

On February 28 the Bottle Clock will accompany the Walking Clock as they, and two other creations by Stanley Clockworks, make their final appearances in the Museum. The Walking Clock is 3 feet wide, 24 feet long, and 9 feet tall and uses a pendulum with 12 shoes that walk forward and backward on a boardwalk to tell time! The Walking Clock sits across from the 20-foot-long Bottle Clock, and uses 300 bottles to keep time and took five months to build!

The reaction from visitors to the exhibit of gigantic, whimsical clocks has been incredible. Visit the Museum and see these creations before TIME runs out!

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 over 21,000 members, representing 52 countries. December through March hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April through November the Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. 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.

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Feb. 2, 2009
Contact Name: Kim Craven - Marketing/PR
Phone: (717) 684-8261 - E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

COLUMBIA, PA: Calling all Brownie and Junior Girl Scouts! Here’s an overnight trip without the bugs and bears with TIME displayed everywhere!

The National Watch and Clock Museum will host the “Tick Tock Scout About Overnight” on Friday and Saturday March 27-28. Brownies will earn the Math Fun try-it through a variety of time-related activities, and make their own clock to take home. While the Brownies are busy, Junior scouts will be working to earn the Discovery Technology badge by making their own wristwatch and participating in other fun activities. The Overnight also includes a Museum scavenger hunt, build-a-clock program, late night snack, breakfast, special Museum event patch, and much more!

For more information or to register for this program, interested scouts and troops should contact Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania by calling 1-800-692-7816 or by visiting www.gshpa.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 over 21,000 members, representing 52 countries. April through November the Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. December through March hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 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.

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Jan. 29, 2009

Contact Name: Kim Craven - Marketing/PR
Phone: (717) 684-8261 - E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

COLUMBIA, PA: The National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC) is pleased to announce Markus Harris as the new Director of Communications.

Mr. Harris is a professional writer, an avid historical collector and reenactor, and an engineering enthusiast. His recent appointment is the latest venture in a lengthy and varied career in the media arts. At National he will be contributing to the Marketing, Publications, and Information Services departments. Though new to the world of horology, Markus is thoroughly impressed by the NAWCC and is thrilled by the opportunity to represent and support such an incredible organization. 

Among his talents are script and screenwriting, special event design, digital media and audio production, and internet communications strategy. Past credits include special effects show designer at The Amish Experience in Bird-in-Hand, PA; technical director at Gretna Theatre in Mount Gretna, PA; co-founder of the International Independent Fight Directors Guild; and numerous special events throughout the country, from California to Aspen to Boston. In his spare time, Harris serves as historical consultant for a number of successful authors.

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Jan. 28, 2009
Contact Name: Kim Craven - Marketing/PR
Phone: (717) 684-8261 - E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

COLUMBIA, PA: There is still time left! NAWCC Members now have until February 13 to order Lasser’s List: Hamilton Watch Company Serial Number Listing at the pre-publication price of $17.95 (shipping included). Two hundred copies of this book will be produced, and half of those have been sold.

The plastic-cover 5.5” x 8.5” publication is spiral bound in a compact easy-to-use format and is the most complete Hamilton serial number list compiled to date. Descriptive tables for every size movement and black and white images of many models are included.

NAWCC Member Rhett Lucke, who worked with Dr. Howard Lasser on the publication, comments, “This combination of information and format will prove invaluable to collectors, dealers, and researchers of Hamilton watches. In putting this serial list together, Howard has consolidated and corrected information from numerous and sometimes conflicting resources. This includes the factory finishing department records, factory sales ledgers, and information compiled in 1937 by Hamilton’s Manager of Sales Research Lowell Halligan, who later became VP of sales for Hamilton. Howard has also included information based on his own research, as well as information from other leading collectors.”

Lasser’s List can be ordered by using the form on page 67 of December’s MART or by ordering online at www.nawccstore.org. Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery

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Jan. 23, 2009
Contact Name: Kim Craven - Marketing/PR
Phone: (717) 684-8261 - E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

NEWS FROM THE CHAPTER RELATIONS COMMITTEE

COLUMBIA, PA: Committee Chair Lu Sadowski and members of the newly-formed Chapter Relations Committee are enthusiastically reviewing, revising, and updating Chapter documents in support of the NAWCC and its Chapters.

Completed projects include the creation of an updated Chapter survey (emailed out in January) and the 2007 Chapter report, compiled by committee member Andy Dervan. The revised Chapter Handbook and Chapter renewal documents are currently being mailed. The Chapter Relations Committee reviewed and gave feedback on the new Chapter charter documents, cooperating with the Organizational Task Force to complete the Chapter charter renewal document in preparation for its release.

The committee members, representing a cross-section of the NAWCC and its members include:

* Lu Sadowski – Chair (NY-USA)
* Richard Taub – Vice Chair (NY-USA)
* Anita Bikowitz (MI-USA)
* Edward W. Bikowitz, Jr. (MI-USA)
* Lindsay Bramall (NSW-AUS)
* Andrew Dervan (MI-USA)
* Judy Draucker (VA-USA)
* John G. Hoff (NY-USA)
* Cathy Koolen (ON-CAN)
* Marion Krajewski (IN-USA)
* Joseph H. Orens (MD-USA)
* Steven Humphrey – Executive Director
* Phillip Gregory – Ex-Officio

Ms. Sadowski confirms that the primary goal of these ongoing projects is to establish firm ground rules and new supportive policies to improve the relationship between various NAWCC Chapters and the organizational team at National. Other projects currently under way include a Chapter Bill of Rights, a revised listing of Chapter requirements, and new survey forms to accurately convey Chapter information and needs to National.

In the relatively short time since the Committee began work in late September, they have already made significant progress in determining where past communications logjams have been occurring, and how best to support effective communication in support of Chapter goals. 

The National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC, Inc.) is a nonprofit, 501(C)(3) organization with close to 21,000 members, representing fifty-two countries. NAWCC operates the School of Horology, an accredited institution offering instruction 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.

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Jan. 20, 2009
Contact Name: Kim Craven - Marketing/PR
Phone: (717) 684-8261 - E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

COLUMBIA, PA: Candy and flowers are Valentine’s gifts that come and go. Consider constructing a timeless gift for your special someone at the National Watch and Clock Museum’s Second Hand Saturday Workshop Program.

On Saturday, February 14, at 10 a.m., visitors will paint and decorate a wooden heart “Valen-Time” Clock. Clock hands and a battery will be added to turn it into a working clock.

“The Museum always enjoys bringing in families, especially for events such as this one. A handmade gift is always appreciated, and one like this clock can be treasured for years to come,” stated Director of Education Katie Knaub. 

Cost is $10 for each clock, and admission to the Museum is included with the workshop fee. Pre-registration is required by contacting the Education Department at 717-684-8261 ext. 237. This program is sponsored in part through a grant by 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 close to 21,000 members, representing 55 countries. The Museum is open 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.

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Jan. 9, 2009
Contact Name: Kim Craven - Marketing/PR
Phone: (717) 684-8261 - E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

COLUMBIA, PA: There is currently an ever increasing demand by jewelers and retailers for knowledgeable sales associates and watch technicians. To meet this demand, the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC) School of Horology has partnered with the largest horological sales and repair center in the world to design a course to train current employees, business owners, and prospective employees. The “Watch Technician for the Retailer” course has been developed with the needs of consumers and retailers in mind and will fill the gap that exists between the customer and the watchmaker.

This watch course is targeted toward employers and individuals. This class offers training for a retailer looking to bolster the skills of current employees, retailers looking for a graduate from the course, or an individual anticipating starting a new career.

“To my knowledge, this will be the first course offered with the needs of the business owner in mind. In recent years jewelry stores have limited their involvement with watch sales and repairs because of the shortage of qualified sales associates / watch technicians. Upon completion of this course, employers can take advantage of the excellent source of income watch sales and repairs have to offer, while reducing the liabilities,” states School Director Jim Michaels.

The four-week course (IND101) runs from February 2 through February 27, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Students who complete the course will be able to:

* Understand how watches are and were made.
* Identify fake watches.
* Determine the age of the watch - whether it is antique, vintage, or modern.
* Identify case materials and be able to polish, remove dents and scratches, and check for water resistance.
* Identify band types and how to replace and size bands.
* Replace and polish crystals in antique, vintage, and modern watches.
* Identify and replace crowns.
* Check battery voltage and replace batteries.
* Understand how a watch works and how to estimate common problems.
* Identify and record any imperfections upon taking a customer’s watch.
* Know how to use various timing machines.

Program fees include $15 registration, $150 lab fee, and $2,800 tuition. The prerequisite is a high school diploma or G.E.D. For more information visit www.horology.edu. To register for this course call 717-684-8261, ext 218 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. There are still several openings for the February session.

The School of Horology is licensed by the State of Pennsylvania Department of Education Division of Private Licensed Schools and is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT). The School of Horology is dedicated to the preparation of students for entry into horological business fields. The School’s mission is to preserve established skills and knowledge of the art of clock and watch making, repair, and restoration, while encouraging interest in horological research. Class size is limited to ensure students the personalized instruction necessary to master the specialized skills.
The NAWCC School of Horology is a division of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Hundreds of students have come through the School’s programs since it opened in 1995. The NAWCC also operates the National Watch & Clock Museum and Library and Research Center in Columbia, PA. Additional information can be obtained by visiting our website at www.nawcc.org.

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Jan. 6, 2009
Contact Name: Kim Craven - Marketing/PR
Phone: (717) 684-8261 - E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

COLUMBIA, PA: Just when you thought that all the gift giving was over, a local museum is giving the gift of time. The National Watch and Clock Museum received word that one of its most popular exhibits can remain on display through the end of February. The Museum is giving you two extra months to come experience the gigantic, whimsical timepieces created by Stanley Clockworks.

The Walking Clock and Bottle Clock are the highlights of this special exhibit. The reaction from visitors to the exhibit has been incredible. The Walking Clock is 3 feet wide, 24 feet long, and 9 feet tall and uses a pendulum with 12 shoes that walk forward and backward on a boardwalk to tell time! Across from the Walking Clock sits the 20 foot-long Bottle Clock that uses 300 bottles to keep time and took five months to build! Other unique clocks in the collection include the Timber Frame Clock, which uses 4 x 4 oak timber, an old school bell, and stones, and the Train Clock, which looks like the front of a vintage train.

Stanley Clockworks, located in northeast Pennsylvania, got its start when owner and designer Rick Stanley was four years old. His inquisitive nature prompted him to take a clock apart and find out what made it tick, and he’s been dissecting clocks and putting them back together ever since. With his mechanical engineering degree, he and his son, Vince, co-owner and engineer for the company, think creatively to build their ingenious and one-of-a-kind clocks. It’s actually a marriage of art and science that has created the jaw-dropping experience visitors have enjoyed since the exhibit opened last spring. 

The National Watch and Clock Museum has almost 12,000 timepieces in its collection and is home to not only historical and traditional timepieces but also novelty ones such as those represented by Stanley Clockworks. 

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 close to 21,000 members, representing 55 countries. April through November the Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. December through March hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 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.

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Jan. 5, 2009
Contact Name: Kim Craven - Marketing/PR
Phone: (717) 684-8261 - E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

COLUMBIA, PA: Are you thinking about your upcoming New Year’s resolution for 2009? Consider a new hobby that might even lead to a profitable career. The National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors’ School of Horology has a workshop program that just might guide you to that goal!

The School of Horology, located directly across the street from the National Watch and Clock Museum in Columbia, has workshops designed for beginner and advanced students, to learn about and care for timepieces. Through hands-on learning the program builds confidence and skills in watch and clock repair and maintenance.

Early 2009 Continuing Education:

WS-122 Reverse Painting on Glass with Lee Davis: February 20-22
WS-117 Using the Micro Lathe for the Beginner: February 21-22
WS-112 Servicing a Clock for the Beginner: March 7-8
WS-119 Wheel and Pinion Cutting of the Micro Mill: March 21-22
WS-111 Servicing a Pocket Watch for the Beginner: March 28-29

Registration is typically three weeks prior to the workshop date. Generally, all materials, supplies, and machinery are provided. Workshops are held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., including two 15-minute breaks and 1½ hours for lunch. For registration information and a full workshop schedule with descriptions of these and all the other workshops, visit www.horology.edu and follow the continuing education links. You may also call Director of Education Katie Knaub at 717-684-8261, ext. 237 for more information.

The School of Horology is licensed by the State of Pennsylvania Department of Education Division of Private Licensed Schools and is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT). The School of Horology is dedicated to the preparation of students for entry into horological business fields. The School’s mission is to preserve established skills and knowledge of the art of clock and watch making, repair, and restoration, while encouraging interest in horological research. Class size is strictly limited to ensure students the personalized instruction necessary to master the specialized skills.

The NAWCC School of Horology is a division of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Hundreds of students have come through the School’s programs since it opened in 1995. The NAWCC also operates the National Watch & Clock Museum and Library and Research Center in Columbia, PA. Additional information can be obtained by visiting our website at www.nawcc.org.