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1800s, clocks that struck the half hour or hour helped people know the Imagination and a love of making things shaped George McFadden’s
time during the night, even when they could not see a clock face. This life. During his long career, he designed sets and costumes for the
glass and metal clock, made in the mid-1800s, solved the problem in a theater and crafted jewelry. He also created mechanized displays for
different way. Designers at the Ansonia Clock Company crafted this department stores and circus acts. In retirement McFadden, who lived
clock to be lit from behind. When the glass face was illuminated, the in Winchester, Massachusetts, dug into his passion for clocks, especially
dark numbers and hands on the clock’s opaque glass could be seen after cuckoo clocks. His neighbors and other clock enthusiasts brought him
the sun went down. timepieces for repair. This paper mock-up shows an idea McFadden
had for a sign to advertise his business (figure 8).
A PASSION FOR CLOCKS Every year McFadden made a clock for his own pleasure, each
Against the backdrop of a profusion of factory-produced clocks, designed around a theme, using reconditioned parts from old
some clockmakers took a different approach; they crafted creative and timepieces for works. The pictured clock tells McFadden’s version of
expressive clocks one-by-one. Although it is not known if W. H. the story of Jonah and the Whale (figure 9). When this clock was ani-
Mackenzie (dates unknown) made or received this personalized clock mated, the waves of the ocean rolled and the whale swallowed Jonah.
as a gift, its adornment with symbols related to Freemasonry and Odd In crafting this and other whimsical clocks, McFadden put his energy
Fellowship speak to his association with these groups (figure 7). into their charm, shape and color and the narrative he wanted to
Demonstrating his creativity, the maker of this clock incorporated a explore. As they tell their stories, McFadden’s clocks also speak to their
round metal clock, originally designed for use in a car, into this deco- maker’s creativity and sense of humor.
rative object. He used a wooden crate, originally for evaporated milk, These clockmakers and more are represented at the exhibit. For
as the foundation to which he attached carved wood ornaments. With more information on the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library’s
his employment of bold carving and found materials, this clockmaker exhibition, programs and collections, visit monh.org. To see more of
crafted a piece of folk art that also told the time. this exhibition, visit srmml.org/exhibitions/current-exhibitions/keep-
ing-time (originally published the March, 2016 issue of JOAC)

Figure 6
Night Clock, 1851–1878.
Ansonia Clock Co. (1851–
1878), Ansonia,
Connecticut and
Brooklyn, New York. Gift
of Mrs. Willis R. Michael,
82.53.11.
Photograph by David Bohl.

Figure 9
Jonah and the Whale
Wall Clock, 1979.
George F. McFadden
(1904-1991), Winchester,
Figure 8 (above)
Massachusetts.
Shop Sign Mock Up, ca. 1975.
Gift of the Estate of
George F. McFadden (1904-1991),
George F. McFadden,
Winchester, Massachusetts. Gift of the
Estate of George F. McFadden, 91.018.7
Photograph by Briggs Photography.
91.018.22
Figure 7 (left)
Shelf Clock, 1919. Unknown maker
and Phinney-Walker Co., Inc.
(ca. 1900-ca. 1960), New York, New
York, Special Acquisitions Fund,
95.029a-c
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