NHAHS receives Davis clock

When Mike Kauffman realized that none of his children had a ceiling high enough to accommodate the John Davis grandfather clock he had inherited and that when he and his wife, Donna, downsized from their current home, they might not have room for the heirloom, he had a dilemma. "I thought there already was a Davis clock (at the New Holland Area Historical Society (NHAHS) Museum)," said Mike. "I didn't want to send it to auction."

Mike called Steve Loewen, co-founder and president of NHAHS. Loewen informed Mike that the museum had clocks made by two of New Holland's three historic clockmakers - a John Esterle clock, donated by Tom Wentz, and an Anthony Carpenter clock, donated by M&T Bank. When Mike heard that a John Davis clock was not among the museum's treasures, he made the decision to donate the timekeeping device.

Davis is listed in historical records as a clockmaker in Earl Township from 1805 to 1807. It is believed that his clock shop was located on the south side of the 300 block of East Main Street, and he was known for decorating his clock dials with flowers.

Mike knows that the clock belonged to Virginia Renninger, who was the aunt of his grandfather Clyde Kauffman. Virginia lived at 104 E. Main St., New Holland. She never married, and she was a valued employee of New Holland Machine. "My grandparents, Clyde and Evelyn Kauffman, also lived there," explained Mike. "(The clock) was at my grandparent's house my entire life."

Donna said that the clock should be in the museum "for history's sake," adding, "There's a lot more meaning in it being (in the museum)."

Mike agreed, noting that the clock has stayed in the same general area since its creation. "The clock was just down the block, and it was a north of town, but it hasn't been (outside of) a 1-mile radius its whole existence," he said.

"It's good for it to remain (in that vicinity)," added Donna.

The Kauffmans also donated two lamps that had been in the attic of the hardware store that the Kauffman family owned at 207 E. Main St., New Holland - the same building that now houses the museum.

"They found them in the attic when Clyde acquired the building," noted Donna. Mike stated that Clyde acquired the west side of the building from his uncle Ed Renninger following World War II. Mike has seen a photo of the lamps, which were originally oil lamps, hanging from a tin ceiling, which is believed to be in the Kauffman building.

The NHAHS Museum is currently open Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day or by appointment. Parking is located in the back of the building where the main entrance and elevator may be accessed. More information may be found at http://www.nhhistorical.com.