Watch and Clock Museum of the NAWCC is dedicated to Horology

The Watch and Clock Museum is located in Columbia Pennsylvania and is dedicated only to horology, the history, science and art of timekeeping and timekeepers. The museum is operated by the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, which is a non-profit organization with around 21,000 members and an educational mission. The museum was founded in 1977 and has created a major collection of horological artifacts, which is largely comprised of clock and watches, but also contains tools, machinery and ephemera, which is used in the creation and maintenance of timekeeping.

Many important clocks and watches that have been created have been preserved and put on exhibition as decorative art around the world. The museum is dedicated to the history of timekeeping and horological production. The museum has been described as the broadest specialty horology museum I the country. The museum serves as a general public museum and a place for a specialized audience of horological aficionados who appreciate the collection of specialized temporary exhibits.

Exhibits at the museum attempt to show the history of timekeepers from non mechanical devices such as sun dials to the atomic clock and the mass produced wristwatches that are worn today. A Learning Center at the museum introduces visitors to the basic technology of the mechanical timekeeper and the many types of clock escapement.

These exhibits include American made tall case clocks, known as grandfather clocks, American watches and a small area dedicated to automatic machinery used in manufacturing watches. Other exhibits include the pioneering automated machinery that was developed by the Waltham American Watch Company. allowed for mass produced watches with interchangeable parts and American pocket watches, the `Engel Clock', which was a monument clock that took 20 years to complete and shown all over the United States. The Engel clock disappeared in the 1950's and was found in a barn in New York State in 1983, The museum fully restored the clock and is now on display.

There are usually two temporary exhibits on show at the museum at any time. One is devoted to timekeeping and the other is a more specialized show, which appeals to horological collectors.

Tours of the museum start with a ten minute educational video `Time the Underlying Order', which is a brief look at the influences of time on our lives and an introduction to the gallery. Visitors will enter the gallery through a replica of Stonehenge through to the amazing technology used today. A hands-on approach is taken by visitors to the museum to explore Engle Clock, which was once considered to be the eighth wonder of the world and to explore watch making machinery. Tours take between one and two hours depending on individual interests.

The museum shop is called Yours, Mine and Hours and stocks a large range of timely treasures such as fine timepieces, unique gifts, clothing and educational toys. A small snack bar is located in the museum and offers visitors a variety of beverages and light snacks.