The Oregon Historical Society was delighted when the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC) Chapter 31 reached out in 2019 about the possible donation of two clocks that were once located in the flagship Meier & Frank department store in Portland. Built and installed in 1915, the two clocks kept time for shoppers and employees for decades, leading to the commonly used phrase: “Meet Me Under the Clock.” Although the clocks were officially donated in spring 2020, COVID-19 restrictions delayed its transport from the Gresham Historical Museum until August 2021. In this recent blog post on “Dear Oregon,” OHS Exhibit Production Manager Franc Gigante shares a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the work that went into safely moving the clocks to the Oregon Historical Society, where the larger, primary clock is now on display.

Read the entire blog post at https://www.ohs.org/blog/meet-me-unde...

In the video, we provide a behind-the-scenes view of the frame being constructed and transported from the Oregon Historical Society to the Gresham Historical Museum. On moving day, OHS museum staff and NAWCC Chapter 31 members Bill Butcher, George Matto, and David Noall partially disassemble the clock, including removing the oak cabinet, the hands on the clock face, the 80-pound pendulum weight, in preparation for transit. Some of the more delicate moving parts were tied down to prevent movement and damage during the move. The clock is then loaded on OHS’s moving truck and placed and carefully reassembled in the lobby at OHS’s downtown location. There, NAWCC members also greased its moving parts and got it back in working order. Once the electric motor is plugged in, it begins to run up the chain until it reaches the top, then gravity takes over and it slowly tracks down the side rails. This puts pressure on a series of chains that actuate the pendulum and make the clock run. At the end of the video, you can also see up close the patented motor at work.