The Keepers of the Clock (VIDEO)
Thanks to a handful of committed volunteers, the clock atop Abbot Hall is always right on time.
From the lighthouse on Marblehead Neck to the narrow streets of Old Town, Abbot Hall's clock tower can be seen and heard for miles. Though many enjoy the sound of her tolls, few know that Abbot Hall's clock is kept accurate by a handful of devout volunteers who climb up into the tower and hand-crank it every Thursday morning. Even before town employees arrive to start their day, The "Abbot Hall Cranks" begin assembling near the building's main entrance, laughing and swapping stories. As 8 a.m. draws near, Abbot Hall's longtime maintenance man Steve Ware retreats to his office and returns with an atomic clock to test the bell tower's accuracy. Thursday's 8 a.m. toll came 21 seconds late, earning a "not bad" from Ware. All together, the …
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Betty Kennedy
7:43 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
We live on Bassett St and really enjoy the bells from Abbot Hall...The church bells around town are on electronic players and are no way the same as what comes out of the bell tower. Every time it's different and that is what music all about. It would be a shame not to invest in this unique aspect of Marblehead. Maybe musicians in town can do fund raisers are raise money for this project... I … more ›