Highlights from the collection

Tall or longcase clocks (also called “Grandfather clocks”) could have either eight-day or one-day (30-hour) movements. An eight-day movement clock required winding only once a week. Most of the eight-day clocks are driven by weights moving the pendulum and striking mechanism, with chimes or a bell. Museum hosts dozens of the original clocks made by the Willards.

On February 8, 1802, Simon Willard patented an eight-day pendulum clock housed in a case having a round top portion bearing the dial, an elongated central portion, and a rectangular base. The shape of the upper part of the case inspired the term “banjo clock”, a name Simon did not use. Willard called this clock a “patent time piece” or an “improved time piece”.

Several types of timepieces are represented in the Museum. This includes numerous shelf clocks, lighthouse clocks, large-scale gallery and tower clocks, various regulators, astronomical scientific timepieces and domestic and foreign-made watches. Below please find some of the finest examples of the Willard House &  Clock Museum collection including current loans.

Other than clocks, Willard House and Clock museum is a home to an extensive collection of Federal and Victorian period art. It consists of several hundred fine and decorative art objects, prints and drawings together with many original pieces of furniture and household items. Our collection includes both European and American paintings, works on paper, embroidery, silver, ceramics and glass.

Documents from the collection include scientific and architectural drawings, business and personal letters from the Willard family members, numerous bills and receipts related to clockmaking business in Grafton and Roxbury, many photographs and silhouettes, newspaper advertisements, and an important daybook with the original records of the trade of Willards and their associates.

Clockmakers were known for using some of the most progressive and precise tools for their delicate work since 16 century, as well as credited for inventing and improving new mechanical instruments for their trade. Around 18th century horological tool manufacturing emerged as an independent industry. Many of these tools are still being used by early clock enthusiasts and restorers nowadays.