There are no headliners or big-name superstars in the ageless Johnston Historical Society.
However, it’s everyday people like Edmund W. Cornwell who make the society unique – and successful, too, as president Lou McGowan will quickly tell you.
Cornwell is what McGowan called a “clock restorer extraodinaire.”
It was back on March 21 of this year when Cornwell – who is an active historical society member – delivered and donated a beautiful mantel clock that is now affixed to a wall inside the Society’s 24-by-22-foot expansion of the museum barn that’s located at 101 Putnam Pike (Route 44) in Johnston.
“Ed has painstakingly restored this clock over the last few months,” McGowan told society members. “There are all kinds of history that goes along with this clock.”
The clock once resided in the Abraham C. Atwood House on Atwood Avenue and was last owned by Mabel Atwood Sprague, who, according to McGowan, passed away a few years ago.
The clock will also be one of many artifacts and pieces of local history present when the society holds its dedication ceremony Saturday to officially open its much-needed expansion. The fundraising event will feature fun, food, music and a silent auction.
“We’d love to have each and every Johnston resident take part in Saturday’s dedication and fundraiser,” McGowan added. “A lot of work, time and energy have gone into planning this event. Our co-chairmen, Anthony Ursillo and Timothy Kee, have done a great job. Everyone that comes will have fun.”
People will also be able to see unique additions inside the museum barn, which is located next to the Elijah Angell House on the Society’s property, as well as a door surround that dates back to 1735 or so and, of course, items like the clock.
“The clock had seen better days,” McGowan said the other day. “It was given to us by the family. When Ed [Cornwell] saw the clock, he asked if we would like to have it restored. I said yes, of course!”
McGowan then explained that “the thing that makes the clock really exciting for me is that on the front of the clock case is a reverse painting image on glass of the old Morgan Mills, created by a relative of Mabel [Atwood Sprague], her father’s brother, William Waldo Atwood.”
The clock, which has a gong sound that goes off on the hour, is an OG shelf clock made between 1871 and 1885 by the William L. Gilbert Clock Company of Winsted, Conn. It is weight-driven and has a painted metal dial.
“A huge thank you goes out to Ed for his wonderful work,” McGowan said. “That’s just one example of what we’ll have on display Saturday.”
Cornwell, who is now in social work, owned and operated Edmund’s Restoration in Scituate and dealt with restoring and preserving old things like furniture as well as clocks.
McGowan issued a special reminder about the society’s dedication/fundraiser gala that will be held this Saturday, April 26, at the non-profit’s property located next to the Elijah Angell House at 101 Putnam Pike (Route 44) in Johnston.
The event, which is free of charge, will run from 1 to 4 p.m. and include a special ceremony to officially dedicate the Society’s addition to its museum barn. The much-needed expansion was made possible by a grant from the Champlin Foundations.
Co-chairmen Anthony Ursillo and Timothy Kee this week explained that Saturday’s event will include everything from a pomp-and-circumstance dedication and music provided by a Rhode Island Philharmonic Music School Jazz Quartet to food.
Ursillo urged “our fellow Johnstonians to come and see what we’ve done and what, in fact, the Johnston Historical Society is all about.”
Edible Arrangements will be presenting its delicious chocolate strawberries, while Society members will be serving foods like calzones and pastry.
Society member Rolf Johnson will put on a unique wheelwright demonstration. There will also be a silent auction with items ranging from restaurant gift certificates to baked goods.
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