The Clock Keeps Ticking in Old Town Hall....

FEB 17, 2022 — 

I'm finding out that both liberal and conservative citizens are signing this petition! This is excellent news....perhaps the Old Town Hall is a way to bridge differences?  Maybe its about time we all come together.....

Interesting factoid: The clock inside the Town Hall tower is a mechanical Howard Clock...from the beginnings of the structure in 1881. 

If you take notice, the clock keeps very good time. It works on a system of cables and weights..actually a box of Walpole Field Stones is used.

Every week or so (I can't remember the interval) the clock is "wound-up" by a town employee who climbs up into the tower. The "clock room" of the Old Town Hall also contains all kinds of graffiti from over the years, made by town employees and various characters of Walpole's illustrious past. 

At one time a bell system was connected to the clock, but somehow that bell went missing...(If you know who walked-off with it...kindly notify the Town Admin for its return!)

The Howard Clock in the tower was primarily paid for by Dr. Silas E. Stone, former School Committee member, former assistant regimental Surgeon of the Mass. 23rd Regiment, who served during the battles of Roanoke Island & New Bern, North Carolina in 1862. 

Dr. Stone passed away at a young age due to war-related illness contracted while he was in North Carolina. Stone Street & Stone Schools were all named after Dr. Stone. Currently, a room at the Walpole Library is dedicated to Dr. Stone, where one can read a special eulogy written about Dr. Stone when he passed away. He was a much-loved Walpole country doctor. 

Please share and promote this petition...at this count, there are 150+ signatures..thank you all for your interest in helping to maintain this historic treasure...!