Good time at the museum

museumtime042: Nick of Time

Columns of majestically decorated holiday trees rise towards the high ceilings of the Kern County Museum where they are on display through Dec. 30.

Never ask the Kern County Museum, “When is a good time to celebrate the holidays?” “Time” is the reason for celebration and the holidays provide the opportunity for the museum’s current exhibit, “Nick of Time: Times and Timepieces” on display through Dec. 30.

Walking through the museum's main building in Bakersfield, visitors are immediately awestruck by nine uniquely-elaborate holiday trees rising high into the recesses of the hall's 20 foot ceiling. As if creating a natural stencil on the walls surrounding the hall are two dozen holiday wreaths which have been meticulously decorated, as well. One constant stands out. Look closely and you will see they all have a connection with the theme — "time."

Yards of ethereal, diaphanous ribbons encircle some trees. Angels are ever present on others. There is a tree with flags and reminders of our veterans fighting in Iraq. Another tree celebrates rock and roll of the Fifties with music notes, records and other fun memorabilia from that era — in fact, it is called "Rock Around the Clock." Another tree is tastefully chock full of clocks and birds and other nursery rhyme kinds of items, and it is called "Hickory Dickory Dock," strategically hung on some branches are key printed phrases from that poem. Many of the decorations are all hand made.

Clocks and other references to time are also creatively woven into the wreaths that provide a stylish compliment to the trees. Both trees and wreaths are all decorator designed with sponsorship from local businesses and organizations that provided funding and materials. Tejon Ranch is a major sponsor, as are Barbara Grimm-Marshall and Darcy Marshall and KGET-TV, Channel 17.

Almost lost in the beauty and grandeur of the trees and wreaths is the real celebration of time located on the main museum’s upper floor. There one can be mesmerized by the collection of antique clocks on display that date back to 1790. The newest clock isn't new at all — created in 1920. Most come from a fantastic collection that belongs to Walt and Marie Koch.

These are not typical clocks no matter how you wind them.

"It took us two weeks to get the approximately fifty clocks delivered," said Lori Wear, museum collections manager. "As you can imagine, a lot of care had to be taken in the packing and stacking and shipping. But, boy, was it worth it. We have one clock that runs entirely on wooden parts. The case for another clock, an 1830 Mobier was fabricated by a coffin maker. We have a rare 'camel' clock that dates back to 1810. Many in the collection were made by famous clock maker Seth Thomas. He was famous for his theme clocks. We have one of his that was made of brass called 'Rebecca at the Well With Abraham Serving.' Another made of wood he called 'Atlanta.'"

"Nick of Time: Times and Timepieces" is part of the museum's annual holiday celebration called "Clock Tower Holidays." And the reason for all the connections to time in the exhibit is easily explained. This year happens to be the 100th anniversary of the construction of the Beale Memorial Clock Tower, a replica of which stands on the front grounds as the museum’s signature landmark. Many activities are planned through Dec. 30. Check the museum’s Web site at http://www.kcmuseum.org for events, times, dates and admission prices.

After visiting "Nick of Time," you may wish you had decorations for your own tree or wreaths such as those on exhibit. As a matter of fact, you can purchase them when the holidays end at the museum's After Holiday Sale on Jan. 3.


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