Entering Gallery D in the Reece Museum is like walking into a room of time bombs waiting to explode as granddaddy clocks, stop watches, wall-mounts and wristwatches tick in untimely unison at the “Matter of Time,” exhibit, which will be held until Jan. 21.
The exhibit features approximately 350 timekeeping devices dated from the early 1600s to the present.
One of the intriguing clocks on display is the tower clock from the Washington County Courthouse, which was removed in the early 1950s after being in the tower for about 90 years.
Like most other clocks and watches today, the tower clock was replaced with an electronic clock.
Once the tower clock is completely restored, it will be transported to the Jonesborough History Museum.
The exhibit is dedicated to the late Peter Morison who originally started the idea for the project last year.
As a member of the National Association of Watch and Clock collectors he “was one of the original committee members from the organization that worked on the planning of the exhibit,” said Blair White, curator of the museum.
The original concept for the exhibit started when the museum was given a “wooden clockwork movement,” which means that all of the clocks are made of wood, from the box casings down to the gears.
The project slowly grew to an exhibit from there.
This exhibit has had more of an impact than the regional shows that the members have been to, White said.
“From a student point of view, I think the level of interest has been based on the surprise of the sophistication of the movement and being able to regulate through gears as early as the late 1600s,” he said.
The museum will be having some of the members share their knowledge of clocks, clockmakers, watches and more with visitors Saturday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
“This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the history and pertinent information about family treasures and other clocks and watches,” White said.
The public is invited to bring their clocks and watches to the members for information and for an evaluation of their value.
“It’s kind of like an antique road show with clocks,” White said.
Call 439-4392 for more information or special assistance for persons with disabilities.

Author