Category: Attractions

The Original Tick Tock

Delaney Antique Clocks of Townsend, MA has the largest collection of American tall case (grandfather) clocks in the United States. It is considered the leading venue for buying and selling antique clocks in the country.

Although tall case clocks were first developed in England, production of these clocks in America was at its height from around 1750–1820. These clocks could be six to nine feet tall, with an 8-day brass-movement. They were symbols of wealth in American homes.

The shop owners, John and Sean Delaney, regularly appear on Antiques Roadshow (PBS) to appraise clocks such as these.

This is an example of a highly sought after Willard Clock. I explored these famous clocks on an earlier blog here.

Clocks with a moon function were common on tall case clocks.The painted moon disk rotates to display the current phase of the moon. The numbers in the arch (5, 10, 15, 20) are part of the 29.5-day lunar calendar, with the number 15 indicating a full moon. This feature was historically useful for planning travel, fishing or farming activities at night when moonlight was essential before the advent of electricity.

The moon faces themselves were hand painted and displayed intricate artistry.

The shuttlecock moves back and forth in this hand painted clock.

A Windmill symbolized rural prosperity.

An urn symbolized immortality and classical refinement.

The clock shop is located in a small town which is known for its antiques.

Cathedral of the Pines, Part Two

The Peter J. Booras Museum at the Cathedral of the Pines in Rindge, New Hampshire houses hundreds of artifacts that have been donated to Cathedral of the Pines over the last 60 years, most of them from WWII.

A section of the museum celebrates the service of women in Armed Forces.

A wide variety of uniforms from all the armed forces are displayed throughout the museum.

Models of important planes of WWII are featured, along with information about them.

More than 59,000 nurses served during WWII, often near the front lines. This short video contains archival footage of the nurses arriving on the beach four days after D-Day.

Rosie the Riveter was an iconic poster that inspired women to serve their country at home, as well as by joining the armed forces, much like the real life “Rosie” shown above.

Long Pond Walk

An early morning walk at nearby Rutland State Park’s Long Pond provided what I hope are the last “snow scenes” of the season!

Winsor Dam

The Winsor Dam and the Goodnough Dike impound the waters of the Swift and Ware Rivers, forming the Quabbin Reservoir, the largest water body in Massachusetts. The dam is one of the largest in New England.

View from one end of the top of the dam to the wide walkways and green spaces below.

Walking across the dam is a popular activity in the park.

Quabbin Reservoir as seen from one end of the dam. It is 18 miles long and up to six miles wide.

The **412 billion gallon** reservoir is the largest man-made reservoir in the world devoted solely to drinking water supply.

From 1938-1946 four towns were flooded to create this vast reservoir. It supplies over 40% of Massachusetts with drinking water.

Bobolink Field

This spacious field is a favored walking spot for both people and dogs on leashes. However, during the late spring Bobolink nesting season, special care is taken to protect these ground-nesting birds, while still enjoying their bubbly songs and low ground flights.