Hillsborough Town Clock

Summary

Sadly, since its last complete overhaul (over 200 years ago), wear and tear have caught up with the clock and it stopped operating over a year ago. The sight of the hands of the clock fixed permanently in time has brought sadness and embarrassment to all who view it. Accordingly, the Hillsborough Town Board appointed a citizen committee, which includes two town commissioners, to consider the matter. The committee has met frequently over the last six months and has consulted experts from around the country. The committee's findings are that structurally the clock remains sound, but after two and a half centuries it needs to he completely rebuilt. It must be removed from the tower, disassembled, and have all worn parts repaired or replaced. The committee has taken counsel from expert horologists and has received estimates that suggest a full restoration of the clock and the four dial assemblies may be accomplished for $60,000, not including the cost of repairs to the clock tower for which the County has accepted lull responsibility. This estimate cannot be more precise because no one knows everything that may be discovered when the disassembly is complete.

Two of the three pieces of the financial solution to this problem are in place. Even though this is an exceptionally tight fiscal year the Hillsborough Town Commissioners have committed $30,000 to the project and have included this amount in their budget. The Orange County Commission has also approved the tower restoration. Another $30,000 is required from the private sector to match these two public sector commitments. The Alliance for Historic Hillsborough, an umbrella organization of groups committed to the preservation of Historic Hillsborough and its environs, has established a special fund to be used exclusively for the clock restoration. The ad hoc Clock Committee appointed by the Town Board has agreed to undertake the fundraising. The objective is to have the clock restored in full working order and striking the hours for the 250th anniversary of the County in 2003 and of the town in 2004. The names of substantial contributors to the clock restoration will he placed on a bronze plaque of appreciation in the Hillsborough Court House.

The Hillsborough town clock has been a principal symbol and landmark in Hillsborough throughout its history. It is the most tangible link with the town's distinguished past. It has been emblematic of the town, appearing on everything from souvenirs to official notepaper. It would he shameful to neglect the care and preservation of this remarkable instrument any longer. It is intended that the project of restoration be fully recorded and be made available to local schools where the town clock may become a device for exploring not only local history but also the remarkable progress of science over the clock's lifetime. It will be a joyful occasion indeed for everyone involved when the Hillsborough town clock is operating once again for all to see and enjoy.

As soon as the $30,000 from the private sector is in hand the restoration will begin. The restoration should take no longer than one year.

Town of Hillsborough Resolution

RESOLUTION
HILLSBOROUGH TOWN CLOCK RESTORATION

WHEREAS, the Town of Hillsborough is determined to proceed as soon as possible with the full restoration of the eighteenth-century tower clock located in the cupola of the Old Court House on King Street; and

WHEREAS, this clock, which has not been in working condition for more than a year, was given to the Town early in the second half of the eighteenth century and for much of the time since, has been the centerpiece and symbol of the town for residents and visitors alike; and

WHEREAS, despite an especially tight Town budget for fiscal year 2003, the Board of Commissioners has set aside thirty thousand dollars for this restoration; and

WHEREAS, the estimate for the full cost of an expert restoration of the clock is sixty thousand dollars, and the remaining expense will be covered by contributions from the private sector; and

WHEREAS, Orange County has agreed to restore fully and prepare the Court House cupola for the return of the restored clock; and

WHEREAS, it is believed that with this tripartite collaboration of Town, County, and private sector, the Town Clock will be running again for many years to come and ready to grace the 250th anniversaries of the County in 2003 and the Town in 2004; and

WHEREAS, the intent is to hold a dedication ceremony for the restored clock at which contributors will be thanked formally, and to place a bronze plaque in the Old Court House with a statement that the dock was restored in 2002 through the generosity of contributors with their names listed; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the Town of Hillsborough Board of Commissioners authorizes the Town Clock Committee to proceed with the Town Clock Restoration Process by a means that would assure the completed restoration by 2003.

Joe Phelps, Mayor
Town of Hillsborough

Supporting Documentation
[ Click Here ]	In 1996, the Hillsborough Historical Society asked Mr. Richard Parsons to evaluate and report on the condition of the Hillsborough Town Clock. This is his report. Note: Adobe Acrobat Reader must be used to view this report.