The National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors is a great organization for anyone interested in time keeping. It's museum and library are wonderful institutions that serve a wide level of interests among those interested in clocks and watches. Professionally organized and presented at par with world class museums. Highly recommended.
I have been a member of the NAWCC for 33 years. It is the only non-profit of its kind in the US. Its purpose is to educate and disseminate information on time and time keeping instuments to its members and the general public. Through its chapter system groups of interested people get togther on a regular basis to exchange information on relevant topics. Its museum and library are open to everyone. Administrative expenses have been kept to a minimum and overseen by a very sharp board of directors.
I became a member of NAWCC over twenty years ago. I was already interested in horology, clocks and watches, but my association with the Association and its members were very helpful in pursuing my interests. I have beloned to three local chapters in two countries (USA and Australia). The experience and knowledge within the locals is extraordinary. The members are always ready to offer help and answer questions. The Bulletin is an important store of historical and technical information, as is the Museum.
After collecting watches and clocks over the years, I wanted to learn more about them and how to keep them running. NAWCC was the only source for information and classes on how to do this as well as having a library which was able to help me trace the history of them.
I inherited a French clock from the late 1800s from my parents, which spurred my interest in antique clocks in general. I learned of this organization and joined within the first year afterward, and have found their journal to be excellent in aiding me to expand my interest. In addition, their national and regional meetings are a great way to connect with folks with similar interest.
The National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors is Americas preeminent not-for-profit educational organisation dedicated to encourage and stimulate interest in the Art and Science of Horology, i.e. the subject of Timekeepers (Clocks and Watches) and Timekeeping.
The core of the organisations‘ activities includes:
• Operating the National Watch and Clock Museum in Columbia PA: This museum is the broadest and largest museum in the western hemisphere dedicated to watches and clocks, and a fovorite destination for both the general public and watch and clock enthusiasts.
• Operating the National Watch and Clock Library, also in Columbia PA: With over 20‘000 books, as well as several times that number of other archival documents, all related to horology, this library is the by far the largest specialized library in its field worldwide.
• Publishing the Watch and Clock Bulletin: This peer reviewed , illustrated, bimothly periodical (averaging over 100 pages per issue) carries countless articles of both scholarly and practical („how-to“) articles of interest to readers interested in collecting and/or preserving watches and clocks.
• The annual Ward Francillion Time Symposium, a multiday conference of speakers and presentations open to the public, held each fall in rotating locations aroud the country.
• An education department which organizes Courses, Classes & Special Events, both at headquarters in Pennsylvania and at field sites, teaching clock and watch preservation and repair to the public and its members.
• Operating one of the worlds most active horological websites at www.nawcc.org including a Message Board (with over 2 Million different visitors per year) providing horological knowhow to the public, as well as a huge on-line archive of horological documents and data-bases.
All these educational services to the public are provided by a small core of professionals at HQ, supported by a huge cadre of nationwide volunteers, recruited mainly from the membership, which is further organized into over 100 independent local and special interest Chapters which provide further educational, social and trading activities for clock and watch enthusiasts.