Wrapping up the Mystery

This week I worked on finishing up with the mystery clock exhibit. The second draft of the exhibit text has been finalized and I discussed the physical layout and general appearance of the gallery with Katie. I copied images from books in the library that I think would be helpful to put on display with the objects. Hard copies of the images along with their corresponding descriptions were included in the second draft of the text. It looks like for now I have wrapped up this project and will be working on other things around the museum.

Patent image for a mystery clock.

On Friday I helped enter names of cabinet makers into a database. I also spent some time in the workshop measuring posters which were given to us. The posters were created for an exhibit on Seth Thomas clocks and mostly featured portraits of the company’s founders and owners. Unfortunately, I only have one more week with the National Watch & Clock Museum, but I am curious to see what other work there is for me to do around the museum.

Alison, Juniata College
Exhibits Intern

The Interesting Search for a Houdin Continues...

This week I completed a first draft of the Museum text and labels. I began working on a second draft to shorten labels and make them easier to read to ensure the information presented could be understood by a variety of visitors. Something that had been lacking from previous draft and ideas of the exhibit were images and other explanatory materials. I dove back into some of the books I used for research to select images to possibly go on display. I also got word on a collector of Robert-Houdin clocks who may potentially loan us some pieces. He is an associate of David Copperfield who we originally contacted about Houdin’s clocks since he has a private museum of magic in Las Vegas. I am excited to hear more on potential loans for the mystery clock exhibit and finding images should help me articulate and clearer and more concise story.

A couple of pages from Alison's exhibit draft.

This week I also attended a meeting in which we discussed potential re-interpretation of our museum message. We discussed important messages we want the exhibits to tell and what the visitor should leave with.

Alison, Juniata College
Exhibits Intern

Jefferson & Guilmet: More Mystery Clock Exhibit Prep

Using the research I had, I worked this week on completing my first draft of text that will be on display in the mystery clock exhibit. I discovered however, that much of my research was incomplete and I had to do a little more digging. I did some looking into Jefferson Electric Company. Information on this company was initially hard to come by and a little disorganized, which was surprising since their mystery clocks were very popular in the 1950s. I had to do a little more poking around to find useful information to put in the exhibit text. This company still exists today, however, they no longer produce clocks. I was able to gain some very useful knowledge from the website of Roger Russel who is one of the NAWCC’s Members.

A mystery watch made by Hilton

Another clockmaker, A.R. Guilmet, is more of a mystery than his clocks. Apparently his mystery pendulum clocks have been closely studied, but little is known about the man’s career and his life. Most of our knowledge of Guilmet can only be assumed by observing his clock numbering system and the various patents he took out. It is a shame more could not be discovered about this man, since I find his clocks to be some of the most striking. I also read up on mystery watches which will be included in a small section of the exhibit. Though these timepieces look and operate differently than most mystery clocks, the concept is still the same: to astound the viewer with the complexity of its operation.

Alison, Juniata College
Exhibits Intern

Continuing to Unravel the Mysteries of Mystery Clocks

This week I began researching for object labels and writing interpretive panel text for the upcoming mystery clock exhibit. I used a previously drafted exhibition outline as a guide to fill in some of the story and concepts with physical text to express the ideas of the exhibit. Much of my work this week was simply translating my research into easily understandable text to be put on display with the objects.

An example of a Turtle Clock from the Museum collection. 

Because I am now refining my research and looking into the history of specific objects, I had to look closely for particular details. While reading up on French inventor of the turtle clock, Grollier de Serviererè, I had the opportunity to look at an original book published by his grandson in 1733 on his grandfather’s work with detailed illustrations of his magnificent clocks. Unfortunately the text was in French, however, another book in the library has translated excerpts from this very same publication. It was fascinating to hold such a unique piece of history in my hands. I find learning more about the lives of inspired clockmakers such as Grollier de Servierè and Robert-Houdin extremely fascinating and I can not wait to tell their story in the finished exhibit.

Alison, Juniata College
Exhibits Intern