Judy Anderson from the Marblehead Historical Society gave an exceptional slide show presentation featuring American clocks in the collection of the Marblehead Historical Society and furnishings and interiors of the colonial and early national periods in the Jeremiah Lee mansion.

Robert Cheney's presentation "Making and selling early Massachusetts clocks " reviewed some of the clock makers whose names appear on locally made clocks. Robert Cheney, no stranger to Chapter Eight, is a Fellow Member of NAWCC , a Trustee of the NAWCC Museum. He provides services to collectors nationwide and to more than thirty institutions, including Old Sturbridge Village where he serves as Conservator of clocks.

Dean Lahikainen, the Curator of American arts at the Peabody Essex Museum was our guide through the museum's Crowninshield-Bentley House and The Gardner-Pingree House. He is an expert on early home inventories and revealed the Salem History during the Federal period.

Don't forget to mark your Calendars for the picnic. Year 2000 is Chapter Eight's Fiftieth Birthday. Part of the celebration will be an Anniversary picnic at Bowen House Woodstock, Connecticut, on August 5, 2000. Bob Frishman the program Chairman is working hard to make this event a grand affair.

Many collectors see antiques only in a modem-day context, and we can benefit from knowing more about the makers, first homes and original owners of these special pieces of history. To help you learn about the origins of some fine New England timepieces, we invite you to attend this year's educational symposium at the nationally renowned Peabody Essex Museum. The bargain-priced registration fee covers professional presentations and tours, morning refreshments, a delicious buffet lunch, and admission to the museum's large and exciting collections.

Questions? Call Bob Frishman at 978-475-5001 or the Museum at 978-745-1876
Registration for members $49, non-members $59.

9:00 a.m. - Registration and morning refreshments.

9:30 a.m. - Welcome and introduction, Phillips Auditorium.

9:45 - 10:30 a.m. "Time & Space in a Seacoast Town: Clocks and Homes in Old Marblehead". This slide talk, presented by Judy Anderson, will feature American clocks in the collection of the Marblehead historical Society. We will look at furnishings and interiors of the colonial and early national periods in the 1768 Jeremiah Lee Mansion, and be offered a social history context for American clocks of that time. Ms. Anderson is in charge of education, interpretation and public relations for the Society, and has extensive museum and teaching experience in decorative arts.

11:00 - 11:45 a.m. "Making and Selling Early Massachusetts Clocks". Robert Cheney will speak about some of the clockmakers - including Simon and Aaron Willard - whose names appear on locally-made antique clocks. He also will refer to some of the important clocks in the museum's collection. Based in Brimfield, Mass., Mr. Cheney is a third-generation clockmaker, consultant and dealer in handcrafted clocks. He provides services to collectors nationwide and to more than thirty institutions including Old Sturbridge Village where he serves as Conservator of Clocks. He is probably best known as a foremost authority on Willard family clockmakers.

12:00 - 1:00 p.m. - Lunch. "Witch Trial Buffet" of meats, cheeses, salads, breads, desserts and beverages prepared by the chefs of the historic Hawthorne Hotel in Salem.

1:15 - 3:00 p.m. - "Special Guided Tours". Curator of American Decorative Arts at the Peabody Essex Museum, Dean Lahikainen will introduce and guide us through the museum's Crowninshield-Bentley House and the Gardner-Pingree House. As an expert on early home inventories, he also speak on this aspect of Salem history during the Federal period. Following the tours, we will have ample time to enjoy the many treasures of the museum gardens, gift shops, and more than thirty galleries of fine art, decorative art, and historical artifacts.

Directions: The Peabody Essex Museum, East India Square, is in the heart of the Salem, Massachusetts, historic district, 30 minutes from Boston. Travel Routes 128, 114 or IA. Follow museum signs to downtown Salem where ample parking is available. (www.pem.org)