New exhibit at Hoffman Clock Museum
By Donna Comella

On Tuesday, Ron Stork and his wife, Cherie, traveled from Medina to Newark to share some clock history. Stork had agreed to loan part of his Monitor Clock collection - and his knowledge - to the Hoffman Clock Museum.

The summer exhibit features several fine examples of the clocks - built with low-cost mechanisms, often placed in wooden, Mission-style housings. In the early 1900's, the clock manufacturer was located behind the Stork family home. Ron is the fourth generation to occupy that home, and he became interested in Medina's local history. A look back at Medina - once been a booming Canal town - soon led him to a fascination with the clock factory that had once been there.

The clocks were made until 1918, when the company went bankrupt. Stork speculates that because the clocks were so inexpensive, many were probably tossed out when they ceased to operate. He has managed, however, to rescue many for his collection. Those on loan at the Hoffman include a Dutch Alarm clock, and an interesting wall-hung clock that is topped by a plate shelf.

According to Stork and Hoffman Curator Tony Prasil, this may be the only time Monitor Clocks have ever been exhibited. (Prasil is pictured here with Cherie and Ron.)

You can view the clocks throughout the summer, and also pick up a complimentary written history, provided by Stork. Some of Stork's research will be included in a book that will be published later this year, called, An Empire in Time: Clocks and Clock Makers of Upstate New York.

The Hoffman Clock Museum is located in the Newark Public Library.

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