Spot a Clock: Merrill Hall Sundial, UW-Milwaukee

This month’s ‘Spot a Clock’ is Merrill Hall, located at 2512 East Hartford Avenue in Milwaukee. Merrill Hall, along with Holton, Johnston, and Sabin Halls, comprise the Milwaukee-Downer Quad on the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee campus.

The buildings were constructed between 1897 and 1904 to form Milwaukee-Downer College. This college merged with Lawrence University in 1964, and its Milwaukee campus was purchased by the University of Wisconsin. The buildings were designed by Milwaukee architect Alexander Eschweiler. The distinct red brick buildings are examples of Collegiate Gothic architecture, and are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

A unique feature of Merrill Hall is its beautiful wrought vertical direct south sundial. While the building currently houses faculty offices and historically housed classrooms, art studios, offices and a bookstore while part of Milwaukee-Downer College, its east tower housed an observatory with a 5-inch equatorial-mounted telescope.
The sundial may have been added to the building to reinforce this astronomical connection.

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Our next MART is May 17th at 9:00am

Presidents Message.

Next meeting is May 17, 2026

We will continue to need some help setting up and taking down.  So arrive at 9:00 and help setup and stay after the educational talk to help return the room in the condition we found it in.  Thank you for your help in this. Some of our meetings will be in the lower hall if conflicts arise with American Legion Hall.  So, look for us in either hall.

I could also use a volunteer to make coffee for the group.  This entails making coffee and getting things setup and rinsed off after the meeting.

Doors open at 9:00 for setup and mart. The educational talk at 11:00 is Gear Cutting by Mike Dempsey.

Rich Newman discussed some of the most innovative watch dial designs for telling time 300 years ago. The presentation was based upon an exhibit at the National Watch & Clock Museum last year and included seven 17th and very early 18th century watches that were also on display for chapter members to see close-up.  Besides discussing the ways makers designed these dials, that included wandering hour, sun and moon, differential, clock-watches, and 6-hour dials, Newman discussed their accuracy, quality, and the manufacturing system that gave London, and the masters working in the London watch and clockmaking guild, a world-wide reputation for producing the best watches in the world.  

Newman is a past Board Chair and a Star Fellow and heads the NAWCC British Horology Chapter and Antiquarian Horological Society USA Section. He also hosts ColonialWatches.com to promote horological research and education.

Educational Talks Planned for 2026:

  • May – Gear Cutting by Mike Dempsey
  • September – Clock Movements 101 by Mike Dempsey
  • November – Isaac Rogers Ebonized Bracket Clock Restoration by Craig White

There will be a board meeting for officers and directors after Educational Talk.

Free tables!!  A free silent auction table will also be available. 

Hope to see you all there.
Thanks,
Craig


Chapter 3 Tailgate Mart will be held on Saturday, May 9th.

Chapter 3 is excited to announce that our 7th Annual TAILGATE MART will be taking place on SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2026, at the Sheet Metal Workers’ Union – Local 73 parking lot, located at 4550 Roosevelt Road, Hillside, Illinois.
Seller set-up begins at 7:00 A.M. There are 126 seller spaces and 150+ general parking spaces available for those participating in the Mart. Parking space rental for SELLERS will be $5.00 per space. Sellers can purchase up to 4 additional, adjoining parking spaces across – if needed.  No reservation is needed; just come and claim your spot(s) early. The TAILGATE MART will end at 12:00 P.M.
There is NO charge for non-sellers! Everyone is encouraged to bring guests who have an interest in horology to attend the mart. Members from NAWCC – Chapters 3,18, 20, 26, 29, 47, 66, 83, 101, 159, and 171, as well as supporting partners NIWCC and REDBAR, are invited to participate.

  1. Our Next Mart is March 15th at 9:00 am. Comments Off on Our Next Mart is March 15th at 9:00 am.
  2. Next MART is January 11, 2026. Doors open at 9:00 Comments Off on Next MART is January 11, 2026. Doors open at 9:00
  3. We Have Dates for 2026 Comments Off on We Have Dates for 2026
  4. Next Mart is November 9th at 9:00am Comments Off on Next Mart is November 9th at 9:00am
  5. Next meeting is May 18, 2025. Comments Off on Next meeting is May 18, 2025.
  6. Our Meeting Will Be on March 9th, 2025 Comments Off on Our Meeting Will Be on March 9th, 2025
  7. Next meeting is January 12, 2025 Comments Off on Next meeting is January 12, 2025
  8. Next meeting is November 17, 2024. Note: Meeting to be held in lower hall Comments Off on Next meeting is November 17, 2024. Note: Meeting to be held in lower hall
  9. DATE CHANGE: Next MART is October 6th. Comments Off on DATE CHANGE: Next MART is October 6th.