1910 Seth Thomas Tower Clock...saved from oblivion

City Hall Clock Tower Today

In a recent blog, I related the history of the City Hall Clock Tower and that it was given a new lease on life after the huge historic Seth Thomas hand wound mechanism was replaced with an electric motor.

The clock’s new lease on life is another example of how this community has worked together to preserve its historic assts for the greater good of the community. It began in 2007 when I was still chairman of the City’s 300^th Anniversary Celebration. In addition to creating events to attract visitors, the 300^th was seen as an opportunity to identify projects that could be developed or restored to have tangible, measurable lasting outcomes for many years to come.

Dobert  Owsley came to my office full of excitement as he had learned the Seth Thomas Clock mechanism in the City Hall Tower had been abandoned he asked if I could get permission him to go into the tower to inspect the clock. We walked over to City Hall and following a brief conversation with Bill Hartman, then City manager we climbed the steps to the tower and were awed by the massive clock works that had long been forgotten.  Both, lovers of clocks we were very excited to see the clock and he was even more excited about the possibility of restoring it. We went immediately to ask the City Manager for permission to remove and restore the mechanism by the members of the Eastern North Carolina Chapter 191 of the National Watch and Clock Collectors’ Association. Permission was granted from the City and the New Bern Firemen’s Museum Board provided space in the old station for the restoration project.

To insure I didn’t leave anyone out that participated on the project, Bob Weeks provided the following information and its donation by the city for permanent exhibit in the NC History Center.

Restoration Committee members, Dobert Owsley, Committee Chairman; Ed Gray, Mike Hattem, Glen Irving, Kenneth Johnston, Yvonne Johnston, Francis Murphy, Robert Papasodero, Fred Swartout, Robert Weeks, Jerry Govesky and Sid Weiner disassembled the clock movement and removed it from the New Bern Town Hall Tower worked very hard every Saturday morning from 9 a.m. until noon for four years to restore the clock. The original clock movement was made in Bristol, Connecticut by the Seth Thomas Clock Company and weighs approximately 2,800 pounds. The city paid approximately $2,783.00 for the clock and installed it in 1922. The number of volunteer hours spent restoring the clock equaled approximately $40,000.  The restoration was sponsored by the National Watch and Clock Chapter 191, Swiss Bear 300th Anniversary Connectivity Committee, the New Bern Firemen's Museum, and Tryon Palace. 

Clock mechanism display
inside NC History Center

Clock face outside NC History Center

The Restoration Committee planned this project as a gift to the City of New Bern for the 300th Anniversary until Tryon Palace indicated an interest in placing it in the NC History Center that was going to be completed during the City’s Tercentennial year. The City of New Bern donated the clock to Tryon Palace and following completion of its restoration, the clock movement was moved to the NC History Center and mounted over the main entrance.  The clock is running and keeping time within seconds.  

The works of the clock movement can be viewed free by walking in the main entrance to the History Center.  All you have to do is turn around and look up after you pass through the main entrance of the History Center.  You will be fascinated as you watch the giant pendulum swing and see the movement parts work.  You will hear the "click, click" of the escapement ,which is the same type as that used on the Big Ben Clock in London, England.  Additionally, there is a kiosk to the right of the entrance that explains the history of time. 

Ms. Kay Williams, Tryon Palace Director, calls the clock the "Crown Jewel" of the History Center.  Be sure to arrive on the hour and hear the bell ring. 

Thanks to the commitment of this special group of talented people, a historic treasure was saved from oblivion and is now a treasure for all to enjoy.    

Tell us what you think.

Susan Moffat Thomas
Executive Director