Jane and David Christianson of McDaniel have donated an extremely rare and valuable Mahogany Tall Case Clock to the Talbot County Free Library. Built by William Thompson of Baltimore sometime around 1800, the pendulum clock, commonly called a grandfather clock, features a moon-face dial painting, brass hands, and a sweep second hand. The clock, which is in good working order, stands over eight feet tall. The Christiansons inherited the clock from Mrs. Christianson’s mother, Mildred Kemp. Family history has the clock being brought to the Eastern Shore by a Kemp ancestor in 1813.
Robert T. Horvath, director of the Talbot County Free Library, said of the gift, “This is a significant donation, an important piece of material culture from Talbot County’s earliest days. We thank the Christiansons for their generous decision to share this historic timepiece with the people of Talbot County.” The clock, with its extraordinary woodwork (turned fluted columns, contrasting wooden inlays, Chippendale bracket feet, graceful finial) is an excellent example of early American craftsmanship. Patrons wishing to view the clock, which is now up and running in the Easton library’s Maryland Room, should call that archive’s librarian, Becky Riti, to find out its hours. Ms. Riti can be reached at 410-822-1626.
Contact: Becky Riti, telephone: 410-822-1626
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