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A stitch in time. . .
Don't watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going.
-Sam Levenson
When Clemson University President P. H. Mell authorized the purchase
of a clock and bell for the Tillman tower, it’s almost a given
that he never imagined that the timepiece would still be going a
century later, but it is. That Seth Thomas Model 16B Graham Escapement
began its 100-year journey in New York City.
Mell placed the order for the clock in the summer of 1905, after
having corresponded with the Seth Thomas Clock Company for several
years. Apparently, after having to virtually rebuild Tillman Hall
after an 1894 fire, the board of trustees were reluctant to make
the capital investment for a clock and bell. It took Mell several
years of convincing before they agreed to the purchase.
The clock arrived in December, 1905, and installation was completed
early in 1906. For the next eight and a half decades, first cadets,
and then later, male and female undergrads and graduate students,
moved to the rhythm established by the Model 16B. The clock and
strike weights were arranged so that the timepiece would run and
chime for eight days between windings. Sometime in the 1960’s
or 70’s, an electric motor was added, which eliminated the
need for cranking the clock and strike weights into position. Then,
in the fall of 1985, the clock was retired and put into storage.
Gene Volk, a member of the National Association of Watch and Clock
Collectors (NAWCC), Chapter 126, from Hendersonville, NC was doing
some restoration work in the Calhoun House, when he heard mention
of the “old Tillman clock.” A scavenger hunt turned
up pieces in the Surplus Property facility, and a visit to the tower
led to the discovery of parts there. Volk and his team found that
the electric conversion had resulted in some components being modified,
and others being discarded and lost, which complicated the restoration
effort.
The clock now looks and performs just as it did 100 years ago -
almost. In its original setting the time weights (100 lbs.) required
a 50-foot fall to run 8 days. The strike weights (275 lbs.) needed
a 165-foot fall to match that. In its present location, there isn’t
room to allow the clock to keep time. Funds are being sought to
establish a permanent home for the timepiece, which would provide
space for the strike and time falls, as well as room for the swing
of the 8-foot pendulum. After all, the Seth Thomas Model 16B should
do what clocks are supposed to - “keep going.” If you'd
like to be a part of this restoration effort, please contact Ann
Marie Alexander, Sr. Director of Development for the College of
Engineering and Science, at 864-656-7013 or amalex@clemson.edu."
 Clemson’s
fifth President, P. H. Mell selected the Tillman timepiece from
a mail-order catalog. This Seth Thomas clock marked time on the
Clemson campus for over 8 decades and was retired in 1985. Last
December the clock was removed from storage for restoration –
almost exactly 100 years to the day of its arrival at Clemson. It
is now on display in its most recent home – the lobby of the
Fluor Daniel Building.
 Restoring
the old Tillman clock required a group effort. John Finn (second
from right), CoES director for administration and external relations,
played a pivotal role in getting the right people involved. Gene
Volk (far right) and his colleagues from the National Association
of Watch and Clock Collectors provided their expertise and workmanship.
The team included (left to right) Wayne Arcuri, Ed Kara and Bart
Schmidt. Cecil Huey (third from right), professor of mechanical
engineering, found workspace for the team, and helped establish
the current display in the Fluor Daniel Building.
 The
Clemson artisans at machining and technical services fabricated
missing or damaged parts. Their contributions were critical to the
restoration effort. The group includes: front row (left to right):
Robert Sparks, Cecil Huey, professor of mechanical engineering;
Glenn Rankin, Truman Nicholson, Jeff Holliday, Phil Landreth, machining
and technical services director; second row (left to right): David
Kelley, Charles Bentley, Joe Riggins, and (upper right) Brad Poore.
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