This presentation will provide an informal look at several clocks from the 18th and 19th centuries and will answer the question, “What makes a clock New York?”

This presentation will be entirely online and will be accessible via a link provided after registration.

Ralph’s interest in clocks was piqued while in high school when his grandmother gave him an old family clock in poor repair. After trips to the library to read about clocks and clock repair, and the encouragement of his parents, he was successful in reviving the relic. At a time in the 1960’s when ordinary clocks were plentiful and cheap, a young collector was born. After starting an apprenticeship with Chappell Jordan (an antiques dealer specializing in clocks), he completed his high school education and was one of the many working students at the University of Houston. After college, he purchased the repair department from Chappell Jordan and, in 1996, purchased the sales business along with Jeff Zuspan who had apprenticed under Ralph. Ralph and Jeff retired in 2019 when the business was sold to a 3rd generation apprentice. It continues to thrive today. Ralph is involved with various boards of museums and is a frequent lecturer around the country in the field of horology. He is a Silver Star Fellow of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors and is an appraiser on the Antiques Roadshow.

$8 General Admission

$5 Discounted Admission for HHS members, seniors, and students

FREE for veterans, active military members, and their families

This program is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

This program is funded in part by a Humanities New York SHARP Grant with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the federal American Rescue Plan Act.

Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.