Connecticut Made: Symbol of Success
In the early eighteenth century clocks were becoming quite accurate, but they were mostly built for European royalty. However, as the Industrial Revolution took hold in America, a wealthy family could obtain an ornate tall case clock - many made here in Connecticut. Willimantic’s many Victorian Mansions in the Hill Section would have proudly displayed a clock like this.
Henry Clay Work, of Middletown, Connecticut, wrote the famous song about a Tall Case Clock. So popular was his song, that tall case clocks became know as Grandfather Clocks.
It was bought on the morn of the day that he was born
And was always his treasure and pride
But it stopped, short never to go again
When the old man died
Ninety years without slumbering
Tic Tic Tic Tic
His life seconds numbering
Tic Tic Tic Tic
It stopped, short never to go again
When the old man died
This feature is made possible by a grant from the Leo J. and Rose Pageau Trust.