Clockmakers' Museum
Encyclopedia
The Clockmakers' Museum in London
, England
is a collection of clocks, watches and other horological items which belongs to the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers
, which is one of the City of London
Livery Companies. It is housed in a gallery at the Guildhall
. Admission is free.
The Clockmakers' Collection was begun in 1814. It is therefore the oldest collection specifically of clocks and watches in the world. It has been open to the public since 1874. The majority of items in the collection range from c.1600 to c.1850. The most important pieces include the marine timekeepers, in particular the celebrated fifth marine timekeeper completed by John Harrison
in 1770 (H5).
In 2002 the museum was relaunched with refurbished displays. In addition to exhibiting clocks and watches it tells the history of clockmaking in London. There is also a rolling exhibition of 21st century clocks and watches made by contemporary artists and craftsmen.
Located at the same site, but administratively incorporated into the Guildhall Library
visiting horological scholars will also find the Library of Worshipful Company of Clockmakers, one of the major publicly accessible collections of printed materials and manuscripts on British horology
.
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
is a collection of clocks, watches and other horological items which belongs to the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers
Worshipful Company of Clockmakers
The Worshipful Company of Clockmakers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Clockmakers were formed by a Royal Charter in 1631. Originally, no person was allowed to sell clocks unless they were a member of the Company. However, such requirements have since been relaxed and later...
, which is one of the City of London
City of London
The City of London is a small area within Greater London, England. It is the historic core of London around which the modern conurbation grew and has held city status since time immemorial. The City’s boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, and it is now only a tiny part of...
Livery Companies. It is housed in a gallery at the Guildhall
Guildhall, London
The Guildhall is a building in the City of London, off Gresham and Basinghall streets, in the wards of Bassishaw and Cheap. It has been used as a town hall for several hundred years, and is still the ceremonial and administrative centre of the City of London and its Corporation...
. Admission is free.
The Clockmakers' Collection was begun in 1814. It is therefore the oldest collection specifically of clocks and watches in the world. It has been open to the public since 1874. The majority of items in the collection range from c.1600 to c.1850. The most important pieces include the marine timekeepers, in particular the celebrated fifth marine timekeeper completed by John Harrison
John Harrison
John Harrison was a self-educated English clockmaker. He invented the marine chronometer, a long-sought device in solving the problem of establishing the East-West position or longitude of a ship at sea, thus revolutionising and extending the possibility of safe long distance sea travel in the Age...
in 1770 (H5).
In 2002 the museum was relaunched with refurbished displays. In addition to exhibiting clocks and watches it tells the history of clockmaking in London. There is also a rolling exhibition of 21st century clocks and watches made by contemporary artists and craftsmen.
Located at the same site, but administratively incorporated into the Guildhall Library
Guildhall Library
The Guildhall Library is administered by the Corporation of London, the government of the City of London, which is the historical heart of London, England. It was founded in the 1420s under the terms of the will of Lord Mayor Dick Whittington...
visiting horological scholars will also find the Library of Worshipful Company of Clockmakers, one of the major publicly accessible collections of printed materials and manuscripts on British horology
Horology
Horology is the art or science of measuring time. Clocks, watches, clockwork, sundials, clepsydras, timers, time recorders and marine chronometers are all examples of instruments used to measure time.People interested in horology are called horologists...
.