Clock Tower Project Gets Funding Boost

Hatboro will be $25,000 closer to restarting the hands of time, an official told Patch. 

The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission this week approved a $25,000 matching grant for Hatboro's ongoing clock tower restoration project, Bill Dixon, a legislative aide for State Rep. Tom Murt told Patch.

Dixon said PHMC green-lighted its share of funding for the project on Wednesday and is in the process of sending a contract to Hatboro with pertinent details. 

In all, the total restoration and repair of the borough's circa 1812 clock tower is expected to cost $51,000, Dixon said. 

Hatboro Councilwoman Patty Fleming, who sits on a clock tower committee along with Dixon and Hatboro community members, of the project costs.

Dixon said "commitments" have been made for some of the local match and said donation boxes have been placed in Hatboro businesses. 

"More money needs to be raised," Dixon said, adding that the group has to "be a little more aggressive."

Currently, the first phase of the process, which involves Keith Winship of Winships' Pieces of Time preparing a detailed report outlining the costs and repairs needed to preserve the borough's 200-year-old clock tower, is underway and is expected to conclude by year's end, officials said. 

The quest to restore the clock–and have it once again tell time–began in 2008, when businessman Charles Roche' noticed the clock's hands had stopped.

Roche', along with local officials and residents, have pushed for several years to acquire funding for the clock in time for its 200th anniversary in 2012. With that date passed, Fleming said previously that the goal now is to have the clock in good working order for the borough's tricentennial in 2015.

How you can help

The Millbrook Society is leading fundraising efforts associated with the local match needed for the clock, which was installed by Horsham native Isaiah Lukens in 1812, prior to his completion of a similar clock for Philadelphia’s Independence Hall.

Donations can be mailed to: Millbrook Society P.O. Box 506, Hatboro, PA 19040. Checks should be made out to the Millbrook Society Clock Fund.