Mayor nomination of Seth Thomas clockCITY OF NORTHAMPTON
Mayor David J. Narkewicz
City Hall, 210 Main Street Room 12
Northampton, MA 01060-3199
(413) 587-1249
mayor@northamptonma.gov
December 21, 2017
Secretary of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin
Massachsuetts Historical Commission
220 Morrissey Boulvard
Boston MA 02125-3314
RE: Seth Thomas Street Clock Restoration, Northampton
Dear Secretary Galvin,
I am pleased to support the City’s nomination of the Seth Thomas street clock restoration for a Preservation Award.
For most of my life, the Seth Thomas clock graced downtown Northampton. This clock, dedicated in 1910 by then Mayor Calvin Coolidge, stood on Main Street in Northampton for over 80 years.
The clock, however, privately owned and in the 1990’s the owner removed it, planning to sell it to the highest bidder. Instead, it sat, dismantled and open to abuse, in a warehouse,
and deteriorated.
In 2015, the City purchased the Seth Thomas Clock (or rather the pile of parts) from its owner. Our Office of Planning & Sustainability coordinated the purchase and eventual restoration
of the clock. We hired Peter Nunes, and expert antique clock repair restorer, for the work.
In 2016, we installed the clock in the newly restored Pulaski Park. The park itself was celebrating its 109th year anniversary and restoration as the civic center of Northampton.
Thanks you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
David J. Narkewicz
Mayor
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