Lancaster County has a rich horological history (and for the layperson, that means "having to do with measuring time"). Now that history will be celebrated during the inaugural Lancaster Watch Weekend, happening from Friday, Sept. 26, through Sunday, Sept. 28.

"For most of the 20th century, Lancaster, Pa., was one of the most important watchmaking cities in the world," said Amanda Okum, events coordinator for the National Watch & Clock Museum in Columbia, one of the organizers of the event. "In Lancaster, home of the Hamilton Watch Co., precision, innovation and mass production came together to create some of the finest mechanical timepieces ever made. Today, the world-renowned watchmakers and collectors in the county have created an exciting new hub of the wristwatch world."

Lancaster Watch Weekend is open to everyone, though museum entry fees apply and some of the events require a reservation. Hosted by the National Watch & Clock Museum, Hamilton Watch Boutique, RGM Watch Co. and Brent Miller Jewelers, the three-day program will feature exhibits; horological experiences; guided tours; and presentations that celebrate the past, present and future of watchmaking.

Events will take place at the National Watch & Clock Museum, 514 Poplar St., Columbia; the Hamilton Watch Boutique in the historic Bowman building at 149 N. Duke St. in Lancaster; Brent Miller Jewelers at 1600 Manheim Pike in Lancaster; RGM Watch Co., 801 W. Main St., Mount Joy; and Clock Towers Condominiums, 917 Columbia Ave., Lancaster.

National organizations RedBar Group and the Horological Society of New York will also participate in the event, bringing their communities of collectors and watch lovers into the mix.

"The event's sponsors have passionate clients and members from across the country, so guests from near and far are expected," Okum shared. "The event is the result of a collaboration of collector groups, watchmakers and retailers who want to highlight Lancaster's historic role and growing relevance today in the watchmaking world."

Highlights of the weekend will include a talk by Roland Murphy, founder of RGM Watch Co., who will share details about watches seen in movies through the perspective of his own career, Okum said. Murphy will focus on watches seen in "2001: A Space Odyssey," "The Muse," "Dead Poets Society" and others. Rory McEvoy, executive director of the National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors (NAWCC), will lead a behind-the-scenes event at the National Watch & Clock Museum to examine some rarely seen artifacts from Lancaster's watchmaking history. At Clock Towers Condominiums, visitors can enjoy a tour of the old Hamilton Watch Company factory.

"This is more than just a watch event," Murphy remarked. "It's a celebration of craftsmanship, community and the remarkable horological legacy that lives on in Lancaster County."

The National Watch & Clock Museum is run by the NAWCC, a nonprofit member organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the art and science of timekeeping. Recently updated and expanded displays include the Hamilton and Bulova exhibits, the history of wristwatches exhibit and the Public Time gallery.

"The National Watch & Clock Museum has the largest collection of watches and clocks in North America, with examples from across the globe and throughout the centuries," Okum commented. "From weird and wonderful to complex and beautiful, these objects tell the fascinating story of the history, science and art of timekeeping."

She encourages anyone with an interest in watches, clocks or history to check out activities during the weekend.

"Attendees can expect a unique, insider look at the wristwatch industry's history and future, provided by those on the front lines of making, collecting and preserving watches," she said. "This is the kind of event you'd expect in Philadelphia or New York, but we're lucky to enjoy it here at home!"

A full schedule for Lancaster Watch Weekend is available at http://www.lancasterwatchweekend.com.