Please Don't Touch

June 16, 2016

The National Watch and Clock Museum in Columbia, Pa., recently shared a surveillance video of a pair of visitors to the museum who were handling a sculptural wall clock and accidentally knocked the wooden clock off the wall severely damaging it.
The museum posted the video on their official YouTube channel as a reminder to visitors about the danger of touching museum objects. "The man who knocked the clock down spoke with museum staff immediately so the situation could be addressed," explained museum director Noel Poirier. "We do not want them to feel bad or persecuted as a result. We want to use the video to educate about the dangers of touching museum objects," said Poirier.
Since being posted, the video has gone viral, resulting in phone calls from media around the world asking for interviews and further information about the accident. "The museum is proud to spread the word about its events, exhibit openings, and special programs it plans and holds each year," said Poirier. "We work hard to promote these happenings and sometimes we get the media response we're looking for and sometimes we don't. This happening certainly wasn't planned and the incredible response from the media wasn't expected either."
The damaged clock, which won a national award in 1994, was created by Minnesota artist and clockmaker James Borden and has hung in the museum for more than 20 years. Poirier said the clock, though damaged in the incident, is not beyond repair and will be repaired and rehung as soon as possible. Its maker Mr. Borden has graciously agreed to fix the clock for the museum.

The National Watch and Clock Museum is operated by the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors Inc., a nonprofit 501(c)(3) association with over 14,000 members, representing 52 countries.
For more information, call 717-684-8261 or visit www.museumoftime.org.

 

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