About SAVE AMERICA'S CLOCKS
A Message from Tom Bernardin, President and
Founder
Thank you for visiting the SAVE AMERICA'S CLOCKS website.
I incorporated SAVE AMERICA'S CLOCKS in New York State in October 1997.
My interest in architectural preservation began in 1974 when, in conjunction with the
Friends of Cast-Iron Architecture, I located and negotiated with the New York City to
preserve 30 of the old cast-iron lampposts that once lined the streets of Manhattan. In
later years, I worked as a National Park Service ranger at Ellis Island National Monument
and subsequently wrote and published The Ellis Island Immigrant Cookbook. Joining
the Board of Directors at that time were Margot Gayle, first-generation preservationist,
and Stephen Morgenroth, a graphic artist.
In 1998, the Volunteer Lawyers for the
Arts provided SAVE AMERICA'S CLOCKS with a pro bono lawyer from the Manhattan law
firm, Davis, Polk & Wardwell. Application for federal tax-exempt (501(c)(3) status was
filed in January 1999 and the IRS Determination Letter was received in April 1999. Since
then three people have joined the board: Marvin Schneider (Vice-President), New York
City's clockmaster; Betty Keim, writer/editor; and Jeremy Woodoff, associate planner in
the Preservation Department of the New York City Landmarks Commission. Web hosting and a
website intern are currently provided through the generosity of Preserve & Protect, with funds provided by the New York State Council for the Arts.
I am especially pleased to report that Save America's Clocks was
recently chosen as a designated project of Save
America's Treasures, part of the White House Millennium Council and administered by
the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
It is also a project of Materials For The Arts, a program of the New York City Department
of Cultural Affairs, Sanitation Department and the Board of Education, which will be
providing us with much needed office supplies and equipment.
SAVE AMERICA'S CLOCKS grew out of my interest and concern with those
things, easily lost, which serve to enrich and enlighten the lives of future generations.
In preserving and maintaining those cultural artifacts, we try to point the way to future
generations as to what we deem to be important and worthy of their respect and esteem.
America's public clocks were once the pride of their communities. Intricately designed,
historically rich, and a real public amenity, today many are not functioning, victims of
neglect as our population's interest shifted elsewhere. Ultimately, that neglect has led
to decay.
SAVE AMERICA'S CLOCKS believes all public clocks as worthy of our
attention. The few remaining old street (or post) clocks are rapidly disappearing from our
urban environments. Several cities have landmarked them and other cities should be
encouraged to do so. Landmarking, however, does not ensure their restoration or
maintenance. Tower clocks require the same attentive care. Clocks attached to buildings
need to be included, as do modern digital clocks. The public relies on these clocks, and a
non-functioning clock further erodes our faith and commitment in the future of urban
America.
The goal of SAVE AMERICA'S CLOCKS is to ensure that these public
timepieces are preserved and operative for future generations. In order to achieve that
goal, the following activities have been (and will be) undertaken:
ACTIVITIES:
Database
A thorough database of all clocks in the United States is to be entered
on the SAVE AMERICA'S CLOCKS (SAC) website. This permanent inventory will include, among
other information, photos, owner, address, condition, history, maintenance record,
interested parties and, if applicable, restorers and fund-raising activities. This data
will be collected by launching, both on the Internet and in print, a national clock
search. Interested individuals will be encouraged to send photos and data regarding their
clocks. The data is to be entered by student interns, volunteers and paid employees. This
inventory will be the foundation of the activities of SAC and will be accessible to anyone
for referral and research. In addition, an "Internet Mail List" will provide an
ongoing public discussion about clocks. (In other words, individuals and organizations
around the country will be able to discuss their own clocks and ask for advice and comment
on activities related to their clocks.) Several cities (e.g., New York City, Boston) have
already landmarked their more notable clocks and their official reports will be on the
site to assist other local governments in the language and concerns of the landmarking
process.
Engagement:
Using the website as the foundation of SAC, we plan to engage local
organizations, schools and individuals to "adopt" a clock and be the eyes and
ears of SAC in order to ensure that public clocks are well maintained. We will provide
fund-raising advice and materials to assist groups in their local efforts. In addition, as
the budget allows, SAC would like to provide small grants, or "seed money," to
help these groups launch efforts to restore their clocks.
This is an opportunity to involve the community in a direct and active
way to enhance their physical environment.
Publishing:
To publish a book entitled (tentatively) SAVING AMERICA'S CLOCKS. This
will be a photographic survey of America's clocks with the stories of the efforts of
individuals and groups to preserve their public clocks. In addition, SAC would like to
encourage and assist interested communities and individuals in publishing their own books
related to their community's clocks.
We are currently focusing on fund raising, launching the National Clock
Search, adding clock information on the website, and issuing a press release regarding the
importance of protecting our most-endangered street (post) clocks.
Again, thank you for visiting the site and we encourage you to visit
again...we hope to be making rapid progress in developing the site.
Tom Bernardin, March 2000 |