July 31, 2004, 13:38
Lindell V. RiddleThe Ansonia Clock we call "Margaret"...
The Ansonia Clock we call "Margaret"...
Beginning in the late 1940s my mom taught kindergarten classes in the largest room of the Margaret Brown School in Greenville, Pennsylvania. High on the classroom wall was an Ansonia Clock that had been there ever since the 1880s when the old school was built.
In 1952 they built a new school and the move out of the old building commenced. Mom kept after the superintendent asking "What will become of Margaret?" as she affectionately called the old clock. Finally, on the last day in the building my little five foot two mom cornered the six foot four Superintendent of Schools one last time, demanding to know what would become of the clock she had carefully wound each week. The answer, the board members had decided Mrs. Riddle could take the clock home, strange as it might sound to us today, the school system had no interest in it.
My dad loaded in the back of his '47 Oldsmobile and brought it to our house. For all the years since that clock has been on display in a place of honor. In 1982 my mom died and at that point it was passed down to me. It is here today, the pendulum swinging slowly in perfect beat. I'd like to get the entire clock reconditioned. It is very original with the exception of the lower glass which had been changed before it came to us. That should be replaced with "wavy glass" I'm sure, and perhaps the glass should also say "Regulator" on it. Does anyone know for sure?
The case, which is solid wood I believe to be solid cherry measures 32" high by 17" wide. Can anyone supply an idea as to its actual age or other information about this particular model?
Any information about our old friend "Margaret" would be greatly appreciated.
Lindell
The Ansonia my mom rescued fifty-two years ago...
