Willard House & Clock Museum will receive a gift, valued in excess of $15 million dollars to grow into a world-class museum. The offering was made possible by museum Trustee Charles N. Grichar of Houston, TX.

The plan is to build a space to accommodate 90 additional clocks with proper storage, a small auditorium, horological library, conservation workshops and classrooms.

The museum must raise $3 million for its endowment to make the gift a reality. Willard has already benefited by significant contributions from its trustees, added funding from major Worcester-based foundations, and contributions from benefactors and other sources. Two foundations have offered matching funds to quickly grow the endowment.

“Willard holds a special place among the country’s museums,” explains Executive Director and Curator, Robert C. Cheney, “apart from already owning and curating the world’s largest collection of Willard clocks, we wish to make the museum a nationally recognized destination for a larger and more diverse audience.”

Mr. Cheney continues, “Willard House & Clock Museum successfully passed its 50-year mark, and its mission has never wavered to preserve, display and connect through education and research, the contributions of the Willard Family of clockmakers and
support the wonder and science of horology.”

Public Endowment Kickoff and Open House, Saturday, April 27th The museum will be holding a special public event on it grounds, on Saturday, April 27th from 12:00 to 4:00. The purpose of the event is to introduce Mr. Grichar and the trustees to the community, explain the vision for the new collection and building, gather feedback on the plan and to raise funds for the museum endowment.

About Willard House and Clock Museum – Planning for The Next 50 Years Located at 11 Willard Street in North Grafton, MA, Willard House and Clock Museum exhibits more than 90 Willard clocks in the birthplace and original workshop of the Willard clockmakers, along with family portraits, furnishings and other family heirlooms.

The work of all three generations of Willard clockmakers, focusing on the famed brothers, Simon Willard and Aaron Willard are displayed. The Museum tour includes the original Willard House built in 1718, the original 1766 clock-making workshop, and three modern galleries. Willard is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

For more information about the museum, please contact Beverly Snow, Program Coordinator, at 508-839-3500.