Goessel museum features ‘Russian Mennonite Clocks and More’

Examples of timepieces spanning two centuries of design and craftsmanship are now on display at the Mennonite Heritage and Agricultural Museum. “Time to Celebrate: Russian Mennonite Clocks and More” is on exhibit through the month of September.

The oldest clocks in the museum are Russian Mennonite wall clocks with metal faces that are about 18 inches tall. A pendulum and chains hang down behind the clock’s face, making its total length about four feet.

“The museum has three of these antique Russian Mennonite wall clocks; the oldest is dated 1822,” said Fern Bartel, director of the Mennonite Heritage and Agricultural Museum. “In addition, we are displaying four Russian Mennonite wall clocks owned by Jerry and Leann Toews that are working.”