American Clock & Watch Museum facts for kids

American Clock & Watch Museum

Location	100 Maple Street Bristol, Connecticut, United States
Type	Horology museum

Street clock at the museum.

Display of Connecticut-made shelf clocks by various manufacturers.

General display of various styles of American-made clocks by various manufacturers.

The American Clock & Watch Museum (ACWM) is a special place in Bristol, Connecticut. It's one of the few museums in the United States just about horology. Horology is the study of time, how to keep it, and the art of making clocks and watches.

This museum is in a historic area where many American clocks were once made. It's known for its amazing collection of American clocks. Most of these clocks were made in factories during the 1800s and early 1900s.

The museum is made up of a few buildings. These include the old Miles Lewis house and part of the 1728 Barnes homestead. There's also a newer part that was added on. Bristol, Connecticut, was home to famous clock companies like Ingraham and Sessions.

The ACWM is an independent educational place. It started in 1952 and got its current location the next year. Many helpful volunteers work alongside a small staff to keep the museum running.

Exploring the Exhibits

The museum has clocks and some watches from different times and countries. But the main focus is on American clocks. A big part of the museum shows the story of Eli Terry. He was a very important person in clockmaking.

Eli Terry and Mass Production

Eli Terry was a pioneer in the early 1800s. Before him, clocks were made one at a time. Each part was handmade and carefully fitted together. Terry changed this by using machines to make parts. These parts were so precise that they could be put together without much extra work.

This new way of making things in factories was a big deal. It helped start the Industrial Revolution in America. Clockmaking in Connecticut, along with making firearms, led the way.

The Museum Library

The ACWM has a large library for people who want to study horology. It has many old catalogs from American clock brands. This library is open to researchers, but you need to arrange your visit ahead of time.

Other Places to Explore

• Horology

Similar Museums Around the World

• Cuckooland Museum
• Deutsches Uhrenmuseum
• National Watch and Clock Museum
• Mussee Internationale d'Horlogerie
• Timexpo Museum in Waterbury, Connecticut (closed)
• Willard House and Clock Museum
• Charles River Museum of Industry
• The Waltham Museum, Inc