Vigo County Historical Society

Historical Treasure Article

Historic Treasure of the Week - March 20, 1983
by Elizabeth Tuttle
Vigo County Historical Society

Grandfather Clock Tells History

In the south room of the Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley there stands a stately, carved grandfather clock, nearly nine feet tall. On the beautifully etched pendulum are three glass jars containing mercury. These form part of a system used to compensate for loss or gain of time.

The caption on the clock reads:

"This clock stood in the first State House at Springfield, Illinois. Abraham Lincoln set his watch by this clock when he was practicing law there. It was acquired by the late John A. Templeton for his home at Tenth and Maple, and is a gift to the museum from that family."

Family members believe that the clock was acquired at an auction around the year 1920.

Tall clock or tall-case clock is the actual name for this type of clock. The term "Grandfather Clock" is derived from a popular 1876 song entitled "Grandfather's Clock."

The movements of tall-case clocks may be either 30 hour or eight day, according to whether they are made of wood or brass. The clock this article is written about is an eight-day clock. Wooden movements have oak plates and either leaf or lantern pinions. Only the escape wheel is of brass.

The Historical Museum, 1411 S. Sixth Street, is open Sunday through Friday from 1 to 4 p.m., except legal holidays.