The National Watch & Clock Museum is home to North America's largest collection of unique and exquisite timepieces. It opened to the public in 1977 with approximately 1,000 artifacts on display. Today, the museum has more than 13,000 items.

Visitors can explore the history and methods of timekeeping from early mechanical clocks and watches to the precision of atomic clocks. Learn what makes a clock tick and how watches moved from pockets to wrists. Explore the history, art, and science of timepieces from around the world: tall case clocks, cuckoo clocks, pocket watches, wristwatches, musical clocks, and so much more! Special exhibits highlight the watchmaking history of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, from small start-ups to the world-renowned Hamilton Watch Co. The exhibits are continually refreshed and new ones added to engage visitors in the stories told by clocks and watches. Discover the history, art, and technology of timekeeping as told by the largest collection on the continent.

Located across the street from the museum, the School of Horology offers hands-on workshops for clock and watch repair, training on machining technology for horology, and instruction for decorative techniques such as stenciling and under-glass painting. Classes are aimed at variety of skill levels, from beginner to professional.

Also on the museum’s campus is the Library and Research Center. It has more than 30,000 horological books, catalogs, and periodicals, and the subjects range from the repair of clocks and watches to the philosophy of time. Library staff are available to assist members of the public with research requests for a nominal fee.

The National Watch & Clock  Museum is proud of its role in preserving horological artifacts for the next generation. We strive to foster a wide appreciation for the craftsmanship of clocks and watches and the stories they tell. Visit us at the museum to learn about the rich history and exciting future of horology.

We love welcoming buses and tour groups! Our huge parking lot, accessible building, plentiful restrooms, and group rates make bus trips easy and stress-free.