Willard House and Clock Museum

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Willard House and Clock Museum Step back in time and see where clockmaking began in Central Massachusetts. The Willard Clock Museum https://linktr.ee/Wh.cm

Make Time for Art at Willard! Artists, plein air painters, and landscape lovers — consider this your invitation to find ...
10/16/2026

Make Time for Art at Willard!

Artists, plein air painters, and landscape lovers — consider this your invitation to find inspiration at Willard House & Clock Museum!

As the seasons turn and the colors of our grounds come alive, take a little time to slow down, set up your easel, and capture the beauty around you. Our grounds are free and open to the public Thursday through Saturday, with a peaceful meadow and benches to enjoy.

At Willard, we're passionate about the art and science of horology — the study of time and timekeeping. Now, we invite you to make a little history of your own through art!

Bring your brushes, paints, pastels, and creativity. When your masterpiece is finished, send us a photo. We may feature your work on our social media!

Come spend some time with us. We can't wait to see what inspires you!

Willard House & Clock Museum
11 Willard Street, North Grafton, MA
508-839-3500
[email protected]

Willard House & Clock Museum Guest Lecture Series"Something May Be Ticking in the Night!" with Paranormal Investigator, ...
10/15/2026

Willard House & Clock Museum Guest Lecture Series

"Something May Be Ticking in the Night!" with Paranormal Investigator, Shannon Nolley

Tuesday, October 27th, 6:30 to 8:00 PM

We Found Some Energy in the Willard House!

As the hands of the clock creep forward, history, mystery, and the unexplained meet up at the Willard House & Clock Museum.

The Willard family devoted their lives to mastering the mysteries of time. But centuries later, could something — or someone — still linger within their historic home? During a recent investigation, we found some energy in the Willard House! What might still be ticking in the shadows?

Join investigators from Paranormal New England for “Something May Be Ticking in the Night,” an interesting evening exploring the history, science, and mysteries of the paranormal. Discover the theories behind unexplained phenomena, the tools used in modern investigations, and chilling audio and video evidence — including findings captured right here at the Willard House.

Whether you're a skeptic, a believer, or simply curious, prepare for eerie discoveries and things that go bump in the night!

At the Willard House, time may pass… but does everything else?

Reserve your seat here: https://ow.ly/Wfu050ZSskE

Come dressed for Halloween. We will have treats!



Image: Creative Commons

Where the other three brothers' birthdays are within a month of each other, Aaron gets his own seasonCheers and Happy Bi...
10/14/2026

Where the other three brothers' birthdays are within a month of each other, Aaron gets his own season

Cheers and Happy Birthday Aaron!

Accepting Applications for the David G. Gow Memorial Scholarship for HorologyWhy Horology? For 2023 Gow Scholarship Reci...
10/13/2026

Accepting Applications for the David G. Gow Memorial Scholarship for Horology

Why Horology? For 2023 Gow Scholarship Recipient, Patrick Mont, It’s a Lifelong Exploration.

Factory-trained at Chelsea Clock, professional clockmaker, restoration specialist, and owner of his own brick-and-mortar clock shop, Patrick Mont knows there’s always more to discover in horology.

“The Gow scholarship gives me access to classes and experts that I couldn’t consider before.”

And that spirit of discovery keeps Patrick moving forward:

“I may never run out of new facets to explore within horology. The overlap from musicians to horologists is simply fascinating.”

This year, the Gow Scholarship has doubled to $10,000!

Open to U.S.-based students pursuing a professional career in clockmaking.

Help us build the next generation of professional clockmakers. Apply today!

Application Deadline: November 4, 2026
Award Release: December 15, 2026

Learn More: https://willardhouse.org/david-gow-scholarship

Today is 10/10, October 10th. If you have ever visited us or another clock museum, you may have noticed the clocks that ...
10/10/2026

Today is 10/10, October 10th. If you have ever visited us or another clock museum, you may have noticed the clocks that are not running are set to 10:10. Why? The best explanation I heard is a) symmetry and b) it leaves the winding posts open, at least on a tall clock.

Willard House & Clock Museum Guest Lecture Series"Something May Be Ticking in the Night!" with Paranormal Investigator, ...
10/09/2026

Willard House & Clock Museum Guest Lecture Series

"Something May Be Ticking in the Night!" with Paranormal Investigator, Shannon Nolley

Tuesday, October 27th, 6:30 to 8:00 PM

Just in Time for Halloween.

As the hands of the clock creep forward, step into a world where history, mystery, and the unexplained merge at the Willard House & Clock Museum.

The Willard family devoted their lives to mastering the mysteries of time. But centuries later, could something — or someone — still linger within the walls of their historic home? Do the echoes of the past ever truly fade?

Join investigators from Paranormal New England for a spine-tingling evening exploring the history, science, and mysteries of the paranormal. Discover the theories behind unexplained phenomena, the tools used in modern investigations, and chilling audio and video evidence — including findings captured right here at the Willard House.

Whether you're a skeptic, a believer, or simply curious about what might linger in the shadows, prepare for an evening of eerie discoveries and things that go bump in the night.

At the Willard House, time may pass — but does everything else?

Reserve your seat here: https://ow.ly/Wfu050ZSskE

Come dressed for Halloween. We will have treats!



Image: Rawpixel

though, we seldom wind this one!Some clocks in the museum stand out from all the others; this is one. This week we hav...
10/07/2026

though, we seldom wind this one!

Some clocks in the museum stand out from all the others; this is one. This week we have a skeleton clock by Simon Willard Jr. circa 1835. Its design is very similar to those made by Lepine in Paris, which has raised some arguments over its origin.

Simon Junior's business was more import and repair based by the time this piece was made. The European style and the timing suggest that this may have been something he imported (perhaps unfinished) and sold in his shop.

See this beauty on display at the museum. Plan a visit: https://willardhouse.org/contact

Accepting Applications for the David G. Gow Memorial Scholarship for HorologyMeet 2024 scholarship recipient Jennifer Ho...
10/06/2026

Accepting Applications for the David G. Gow Memorial Scholarship for Horology

Meet 2024 scholarship recipient Jennifer Hohman of Springboro, Ohio, who transitioned from a 15-year career as a Registered Piano Technician and piano teacher to becoming a full-time professional clockmaker.

After apprenticing with clockmakers across the U.S. and Europe, Jennifer now operates her own brick-and-mortar clockmaking business.

“I may never run out of new facets to explore within horology. The overlap from musicians to horologists is simply fascinating.”

This year, the Gow Scholarship has doubled to $10,000!

Open to U.S.-based students pursuing a professional career in clockmaking.

Help us build the next generation of professional clockmakers. Apply today!

Application Deadline: November 4, 2026
Award Release: December 15, 2026

Learn More: https://willardhouse.org/david-gow-scholarship

Have you ever perused a cemetery for the art? Garden cemeteries can be great for this since they are more likely to have...
10/05/2026

Have you ever perused a cemetery for the art? Garden cemeteries can be great for this since they are more likely to have statuary (I'm looking at you Mount Auburn), but even your typical graveyards can have some lovely examples. There are modern stones that may have a portrait or angel carving, but if you go farther back to the 18th century, there are some amazing stones.
During the 18th century we see portrait (see October 2's post) stones, deaths heads, and winged spirits. Sometimes they include father time or an hourglass, that can be winged too. 19th century graves bring in the urn and weeping willow designs.
Do you have a favorite stone motif?

For an additional challenge, go looking for late 19th/early 20th century zinc grave markers!

The Simons Willard are both buried in a "garden cemetery". Simon Sr. (1753-1848), his second wife, and a number of their...
10/02/2026

The Simons Willard are both buried in a "garden cemetery". Simon Sr. (1753-1848), his second wife, and a number of their children reside in Forrest Hills in Boston, MA. Simon Jr. and the entirety of his family are in Mount Auburn in Cambridge, MA, mentioned in this article.
http://ow.ly/3FkX50CzPJJ

Address

11 Willard Street
Grafton, MA
01536

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10:30am - 11:30am
2pm - 3pm
Wednesday 10:30am - 11:30am
2pm - 3pm
Thursday 10:30am - 11:30am
2pm - 3pm
Friday 10:30am - 11:30am
2pm - 3pm
Saturday 10:30am - 11:30am
2pm - 3pm

Telephone

+15088393500

Website

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