American Clock and Watch Museum in Bristol, Connecticut

While it may not be obvious to anyone who is not well-versed in the history of American manufacturing, Bristol, Connecticut is the logical home for the American Clock and Watch Museum.

In the 19^th century, Connecticut was the watch and clock capital of the country. The household clock in nearly every American home was made by companies such as Sessions, Ingraham and Ansonia, which were based in Bristol. At one time, nearly 300 companies in the town were involved in one way or another in the manufacture of watches and clocks.

Today, the American Clock and Watch Museum has over 1,500 timepieces on display. The collection features exhibits of watches and clocks dating back as far as 1595.

But the heart of the museum's collection focuses on the advances in clock-making that took place at the time of the Industrial Revolution. Local craftsman Eli Terry used innovative manufacturing techniques to mass-produce clocks with wooden gears, using power generated by the river running through Bristol. Later, the availability of brass from nearby Waterbury, Connecticut enabled companies to stamp out identical gears, making clocks easier and cheaper to mass-produce.

Mickey Mouse watch

Clock companies from this region of Connecticut became well-known around the world. The Waterbury Clock Company introduced wristwatches, which became a fashion with soldiers returning from World War I. The company's Ingersoll division sold the most iconic wristwatch ever - the Mickey Mouse watch - beginning in 1933. Later, the Waterbury Clock Company changed its name to Timex, and by the 1950s was producing one of every three American wristwatches.

Seth Thomas clocks

Seth Thomas was a Bristol-based manufacturer whose name that became synonymous with household wall and mantle clocks as well as standing grandfather clocks. The American Clock and Watch Museum displays a variety of items from this local entrepreneur. Today, Seth Thomas clocks are highly sought-after by collectors.

Museum exhibits

Visitors to the museum will be fascinated by the wide variety of timepieces on display. A two-story clock tower gives an up-close look at the inner workings of a clock, allowing you to see exactly "what makes it tick." Try to make sure your visit extends past the top of an hour, and experience the sound as many of the museum's working clocks simultaneously chime to mark the time.

Housed in a historic home built in 1801, the American Clock and Watch Museum was founded almost 6o years ago and dedicated to educational programs on the subject of American horology - the science of measuring time. It is a popular field trip destination for school groups from across Connecticut.

The museum is located at 100 Maple Street in Bristol, Connecticut - between the cities of Waterbury and Hartford. It is open Monday through Friday during the winter months, and daily beginning each spring. Admission is $5 for adults and $2 for children aged 8 to 15. Children under 8 are admitted free.