Refurbishing an Old School Clock in New Haven's Worn-Out School Building
In the heart of Brantford, Ontario, a small but significant piece of Canadian clockmaking history has been brought back to life. The New Haven Octagonal short drop wall clock, a Canadian-made timepiece, was assembled at The New Haven Clock Co. of Canada plant, established in 1906.
This particular clock, once a fixture in a schoolhouse in Saskatchewan, Alberta, was removed in the 1960s and lay dormant for decades. Its journey to restoration began recently, revealing a movement covered in grime and a dark brown cleaning solution, a testament to its years of service.
The clock features three primary levers: the hammer strike lever, the drop and paddle lever, and the unlocking lever or lift lever. The drop and paddle lever performs several jobs in unison, pushing the unlocking lever and forming a paddle that enters the deep slots of the count wheel. The correct positioning of these levers is critical for the clock to run smoothly.
To ensure smooth operation, 15 bushings were installed, 7 on the front plate and 8 on the rear plate, and the upper arm of the drop and paddle lever was positioned correctly in the upper rear part of the slot on the cam. After these adjustments, the clock ran beautifully without any issues, completing its full 8-day cycle without problems.
The New Haven Clock Company of Canada was a subsidiary of the New Haven Clock Company of America. The Canadian plant produced both mantel and wall clocks, using Canadian wood cases, but the spring-driven pendulum movements were brought in from the U.S. However, specific details about the history, production timeline, and closure year of the New Haven Clock Company of Canada are not readily available.
Despite its humble appearance, this refurbished clock is now a proud addition to a living room, running without issues for years to come. It reflects its utilitarian role as a schoolhouse clock, a testament to its robust design and the craftsmanship of the New Haven Clock Company of Canada. While its exact history remains somewhat elusive, this clock continues to keep time, a silent sentinel of a bygone era in Canadian clockmaking.
In the process of renovating a home-and-garden, vintage clocks like this refurbished New Haven Octagonal short drop wall clock become worthy gadgets to incorporate into one's lifestyle. The clock, now a prized possession in a living room, demonstrates the enduring quality of the New Haven Clock Company of Canada's craftsmanship. Interestingly, despite the plant producing wall clocks and mantel clocks, the spring-driven pendulum movements were sourced from the New Haven Clock Company of America. This clock, while its detailed history may be ambiguous, continues to uphold the principles of Canadian clockmaking, maintaining the accuracy of time, much like technology in the modern era.
