David Gow Scholarship
A Scholarship Program Dedicated to Professional Careers In Clockmaking
The entry into the career of conservator-level clockmaking is not well defined. Unlike years’ past, there are virtually no apprenticeship programs available. The current path is a self-directed pursuit of skills over the course of many years; piecing together guidance from mentors, reading, attending courses available from various schools, and a trial and error approach.
Adding to the difficulty for students of horology is a lack of financial support to help along the journey.
A Flexible Scholarship for Clockmaking Professionals
Who Is Eligible? What is the Criteria?
In the application form below, applicants should demonstrate that they:
Are a US-based student who has already begun their path on the clockmaking journey.
Desire to advance their skills to a museum-quality level.
Are currently makeing clockmaking their profession or desire to make clockmaking their profession.
Intend to be or are actively involved in the horological and clock community.
If you are interested or know of someone that meets the criteria, please let us know. For questions, please contact the museum at info@willardhouse.org.
Award Amount
$5000 will be awarded on an annual basis.
Note: A previous scholarship doesn't preclude a scholarship the following year, the Gow Scholarship is interested in supporting the right candidates over multiple years.
New for the 2023 Scholarship is an additional $500 stipend used for reimbursing expenses for a 2-day visit to the WHCM in Grafton, MA. This visit entails meeting with the Museum Curator and other Clock and horological experts in the area.
How Can the Funds Be Used?
Funds may be used to attend advanced courses provided by various schools across the US (for example: American Watchmaker Clockmakers Institute, National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, Plumier Foundation) or to support an approved master/apprentice arrangement.
Other uses of the funds will be considered if they are in the pursuit of developing high-level skills and knowledge for individuals interested in making a career in horological restoration and conservation.
How Do You Apply? When Is The 2023 Application Due?
To apply, applicants should fill out form below with the following information no later than November 4, 2023:
A brief biography – limit to 500 words
An overview of clock making experience
A Learning Plan – what courses you intend to take and/or master/apprentice plans
An explanation of how this award will help support the Learning Plan
The award size requested (up to $5000)
What Is Required from The Scholarship Recipient?
Scholarship recipient will be required to provide quarterly progress updates (for example, five lines from an email or 15-minute phone call). This is an opportunity to check in with the WHCM staff and receive additional mentorship on a regular basis.
Recipient will be requested to provide some feedback and history that Willard may post to its website, social media platforms and other public-facing materials.
When will recipients be notified?
We will notify the scholarship recipient by December 14, 2023.
About David G. Gow
David was born in West Hills, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, on November 4, 1948.
David left school at 16 to complete a five-year apprenticeship in fine woodworking — where he started on his path to becoming a true craftsman.
He resided briefly in Brazil, spent several years in British Columbia, Canada and eventually moved to and stayed in the Worcester/Shrewsbury area for more than 30 years.
As a highly respected horologist, he restored clocks for many institutions and museums. This included clocks in the U.S. Senate chambers and the Willard House and Clock Museum where he was conservator for over 25 years. David also restored clocks for private collectors around the world. Many of his clients had become close friends.
In addition to his museum work, he helped several students increase their skills in clockmaking amd conservation. However, due to the realities of running a full-time conservation business, he was not able to support the continued learning required for these students to become masters in their own right.
The David G. Gow Memorial Scholarship is meant to help fund apprentices who are on their way to becoming masters.