Extraordinary Lussier Ayer Mill Clock Photos
Eagle Tribune and the Ayer Mill Clock Tower
Boston Globe article
Salem News
Ayer Mill Clock Tower Begins Its Second Century!
On Sunday, October 3, 2010 over 150 people from the greater Lawrence community came to celebrate their famous clock tower, the Ayer Mill Clock – the largest four-sided mill clock face in the world. The celebration was held in the Lawrence History Center courtyard. The bell rang one hundred times to commemorate each year - exactly 100 years to the day that Fredrick Ayer first rang the bell.
Master of Ceremonies for the occasion was Hall of Fame Broadcaster, Bruce Arnold, of WCCM. He had an important role in creating interest within the Valley during the restoration phase back in the early 1990's.
Attorney Thomas Caffrey and Donald George, co-chairmen of the Ayer Clock Tower Restoration Committee spoke about the tremendous community support in raising close to one million dollars for the restoration and preservation of this piece of American history. Rick and Linda Balzer, of Freeport, Maine the restorers of the original E. Howard Clock, spoke about their work in 1991. Charles Waites the official keeper of the clock – was recognized for his work of maintaining and winding the clock since 1992.
Many students from the International School at Lawrence High School came to help greet visitors and to serve refreshments and help celebrate their city's history.
It was clear from the enthusiastic crowd on Sunday that the Lawrence community takes great pride in this symbol of our city. The Ayer Mill Clock Tower is a beacon for residents and travelers alike. Since its first toll in 1910 it has been an integral part of the rich heritage of Lawrence, MA. The Essex County Community Foundation ( ECCF ) is currently raising money to have the clock faces illuminated again. Chairman of the Lawrence Historic Commission, Jonas Stundza, helped organize the event and also helped raised hundreds of dollars for the Clock Restoration Fund during the event's auction.
The Ayer Mill located at the corner of of South Union and Merrimack Street was built in 1911 by William M. Wood, President of the American Woolen Company. At the time it was one of the largest worsted woolen factories in the world and employed 3500 mill hands at full capacity. As the textile industry abandoned Lawrence in the 1950's. the clock and the tower fell into disrepair. While driving on I 495 clock restorer, Chris Balzer of the Balzer Clock Company, was stunned by the clock's beauty and size and saddened by its disrepair. Balzer met with Donald George and the restoration process began.
For more information on helping support the lighting of the clock, contact: www.eccf.org or call David Tory at 978-777-8876
The Clock Tower turns 100 Years old on October 3, 2010. Everyone is invited to the Lawrence History Center Courtyard on October 3, 2010 at 2:00 pm to celebrate our labor history, our architectural history and most especially our community's efforts that restored and continues to maintains this icon of Lawrence, its workers and its mill history.
The master of ceremonies will WCCM's Bruce Arnold, recently inducted into the Broadasters's Hall of Fame. Come and meet members of the extraordinary group that did the restoration work on the clock and the tower. Listen to the story about how the restoration happened and learn how the Essex County Community Foundation is continuing the maintenance of this historic structure, originally designed by Charles T. Main.
But most of all, come and celebrate Lawrence! Share your memories of the Ayer Mill, your experience as an employee,as a resident of Lawrence.
Please read the Eagle Tribune article from Saturday, September 18, 2010 which can be found at Eagle Tribune and the Ayer Mill Clock Tower
Send us your stories, memories and comments, images so we can share them on the Lawrence History center website. We will create a page to share what you have to offer. Send your comments to research@lawrencehistory.org.
And do not forget to come - October 3, 2010 - 2:00 pm in the Courtyard!