Time Flies When You're Having Fun
Restoration Project a Success!
This past October, thanks to some generous private funding, the 115 year old timepiece that adorns the side of the building was removed and painstakingly restored. On Thursday, July 16, it returned to its perch-- not only restored, but upgraded as well, ensuring that it will continue to "keep watch" over our community for decades and generations to come.
The process got underway in October of 2019 when the Building & Grounds Committee began to research what it would take to bring the clock back to its former glory. Over the years minor repairs had been made more as a series of stop gap measures than a long term repair. Thanks to some very generous private support for the project, the wheels were quickly set in motion for a full scale restoration.
This “before” photo of the clock taken in October ‘19 shows its deteriorated state thanks in large part to more than a century of Maine winters.
Last October, Rick Bradbury and Mike Astle got to work on the project. Thanks to the use of a lift from BCM Construction, the pair removed the clock from the building. The next stop was Rick’s workshop in Town Hill to restore and rebuild the clock.
Rick Bradbury and Mike Astle undertook the project and got started on a crisp and clear October morning. Luckily, BCM Construction provided their lift to help make the removal of the clock and its housing a much smoother process given its precarious position. The “hole” in the building was sealed up and insulated for the winter.
Extensive measurements were taken so that a new housing and trim pieces could be crafted and still provide a perfect fit. Rather than the original oak which was used, the new housing and trim is made of mahogany to provide more durability. The old housing provided a solid template to work from, but the tricky portion was the decorative trim at the top. At some point that portion of the clock, likely beyond repair, had been removed and replaced with a simple vinyl-clad triangle. With no clear photos showing the original top trim the team researched the sorts of designs which were used on time pieces of the same era, and settled on a carved shell.
Although the exterior housing had to be crafted anew, many of the intricate pieces on the face, having been protected for 100+ years behind glass— including the roman numerals— only required a quick restoration.
The restored clock was returned and installed on July 16, 2020.
One key upgrade to the clock had to do with the “movement” inside. Over the years the original inner workings had become increasingly fragile and a tricky situation to deal with given the clock required winding by-hand once a week (while balancing on the beams of the attic floor). Repairs had been made in recent years, including a fix to the lead weight which had broken from the bottom of the pendulum that kept he timepiece “ticking.” To ensure the beautifully refurbished clock was always accurate, a Massachusetts firm was enlisted to assemble an electrified movement. Once the clock was back in place, Robb Norwood took care of the electrical connections. The clock will now keep time without any winding and even automatically adjust itself after power outages or for daylight savings time. Don’t fret though, as we’re keeping the old workings on site for sentimental and historical posterity.
The detail in some of the trip pieces might not be visible from the ground, but rest assured that the craftsmanship in the clock certainly meets (and arguably exceeds) that of the original.
Another upgrade to the clock comes in the way of LED lighting. Previously, the clock had been dimly lit in the evening with four standard household light bulbs. Given the difficulty accessing these bulbs, having all four functioning at a given moment was far from a safe bet. With the new LED lighting, however, the face of the clock will be better illuminated in the evening, be more energy efficient, and require only a fraction of the maintenance.
In a “normal” year, you can be certain the amazing results of this project would have been ushered in with celebration and fanfare. While that might not be practical this year, we do invite you to make stop on the corner of Rock End Road to have a look for yourself. In fact, on Thursday, July 23rd the clock will be overlooking our “drive through” ice cream social— what a perfect excuse to come take a peek! And the ice cream sundaes aren’t bad either.
Rick Bradbury (left) and Mike Astle (right) work to make some final preparations high above the ground before installing the restored clock to the eaves of The Neighborhood House.
