New Exhibit at the Newport Historical Society
“My small Ability” The Life and Work of William Claggett
Newport, RI –The Newport Historical Society has opened a new exhibit “My small Ability” The Life and Work of William Claggett” at their Resource Center, 82 Touro Street, Newport, RI which will be open to the public Monday -Friday 10 am-3 pm daily (excepting holidays and staff availability) until September 2019.
This exhibit was inspired by the newly released book “Claggett: Newport’s Illustrious Clockmaker” by Donald L. Fennimore & Frank L. Hohmann III. The book features three clockmakers William Claggett, his apprentice James Wady, and Thomas Claggett, a family member.
“My small Ability” exhibit will highlight the works and life of William Claggett set against the backdrop of Newport 1715-1760. Featured items will include tall case clocks, clothing, maps, a mahogany board, copperplates manufactured and used by Claggett for printing Rhode Island currency, and the Claggett wall clock in the Seventh Day Baptist Meeting House.
This exhibit is running in coordination with an exhibit of William Claggett clocks at the Redwood Library & Athenæum, “The Claggetts of Newport: Master Clockmakers in Colonial America,” up until April 2019.
About the Newport Historical Society
Since 1854, the Newport Historical Society has collected and preserved the artifacts, photographs, documents, publications, and genealogical records that relate to the history of Newport County, to make these materials readily available for both research and enjoyment, and to act as a resource center for the education of the public about the history of Newport County, so that knowledge of the past may contribute to a fuller understanding of the present.
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