Clock Scavenger Hunt — Enter to Win a Restored Mantle Clock!
In celebration of Simon Willard’s birthday (April 7, 1605) the Willard House and Clock Museum and Grafton Public Library are partnering on a Library Clock Scavenger Hunt! Children in grades 1-6 are eligible to participate.
The museum will hold a special drawing as part of its Clocks for Kids program and will give a away a restored shelf clock to a lucky winner at the end of April. The prize makes a nice introduction to conventional (non-digital) clocks. Complete and turn in a Library Clock Scavenger Hunt Entry Form to earn a glow in the dark sticker, and a chance to win a restored, working 1920s mantle clock from the Willard House and Clock Museum’s Clocks for Kids program!
“Horology, the science of time and timekeeping, has been a neglected science throughout our schooling” explains Executive Director, Robert C. Cheney “yet it is perhaps the most important of the sciences for the development of our modern world. Virtually every important discovery you can think of depends on horology.” The museum has partnered with the Grafton Public Library on a special clock scavenger hunt, at the library. First through sixth graders are invited to find clocks of various types including a Benjamin Willard Jr. tall case clock and an Aaron Willard steeple clock. Participating children will turn in a check list and receive glow-in-the-dark stickers highlighting the museum’s collection.
“We are thrilled to provide an interactive, DIY program for youth this month celebrating our partnership with Willard House and Clock Museum!” says Library Director, Beth Schreiber.
For a list of clock and time-themed books, please visit https://graftonlibrary.org/horology-reading-list/
Grafton’s Simon Willard was born on April 3rd, 1753. His birthday will be celebrated during the entire month of April. Free Museum Admission Kicking off the festivities, the museum will offer FREE admission starting April 1st. This was made possible by a generous donation from Gaudette Insurance of North Grafton. Book at visit at: https://willardhouse.org/contact.
In addition, Willard will hold a birthday party on the grounds on Saturday, April 1st from noon to 3:00 PM. Come and enjoy cake and special children’s activities. Register at https://willardhouse.org/events/calendar/2022/4/2/simon- willards-birthday-9lr5t so that the museum can order enough cake!
Richard Potter’s 19th Century Magic Show, April 21st
Rounding out the month, Willard will host Richard Potter’s 19th Century Magic show on Friday, April 21st, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. “Willard is pleased to welcome back Robert Olson as Richard Potter to amaze our audience with his marvelous feats of magic. Robert has made it his life’s devotion to study and perform as Potter and his passion shines through”, says Cheney. “His prior appearance was standing room only, so order your seats early.” Wearing 19th century costume, veteran magician, Olson, brings Richard Potter’s 1800s magic to audiences, using original and recreated props (cards, coins, ribbons, and boxes) as well as costumes and the language that was used during that period-– all to carry the audience back in time.
About Willard House and Clock Museum – Celebrating its 50th Anniversary
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.
Visit the Willard House and Clock Museum website at http://www.willardhouse.org and follow on Facebook, Twitter , Instagram and LinkedIn. For more information about about the museum, please contact Beverly Snow, Program Coordinator, at 508-839-3500. To reserve a Library museum pass for discounted admission after the generous free period ends April 30, please visit https://www.eventkeeper.com/code/events.cfm?curOrg=GRAFTON.