Ellen E. Ward Memorial Clock Tower

Ellen E. Ward Memorial Clock Tower (a.k.a.; Roslyn Clock Tower)
U.S. Historic district Contributing property
New York State Register of Historic Places
The clock tower in 2008.
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Location	Main Street, Old Northern Boulevard & Tower Plaza, Roslyn, New York
Coordinates	40°47′59.1″N 73°39′1.9″W
Built	1895
Architect	Lamb and Rich
Part of	Main Street Historic District (ID74001266[1])
Designated CP	1974

The Ellen E. Ward Memorial Clock Tower (also known as the Roslyn Clock Tower) is a historic clock tower in the Village of Roslyn, Nassau County, New York. It is considered the symbol of Roslyn and appears on that village's official seal.[2][3]

History

The clock tower was constructed in 1895 as a memorial to Ellen E. Ward (1826–1893), who was a prominent and active Roslyn resident best known for donating the historic horse trough located within the village.[2][4] The tower was commissioned by Ward's children.[2][4] The tower was designed by the firm of Lamb & Rich.[4][5]

The clock tower was rehabilitated in the 1990s and 2000s, and for its centennial in 1995, the Town of North Hempstead sold the tower to the Village of Roslyn for $1.[4][6] The rehabilitation efforts experienced delays in the 2000s due to various reasons, including trouble securing grant money from New York following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.[6] The rehabilitation efforts were finally completed after 11 years in 2006.[6]

It is listed on both the National Register of Historic Places and on the New York State Register of Historic Places, and is a contributing property to the Main Street Historic District.[7]

Specifications

• Tower height: approximately 44 feet (13 m) (although some sources claim it is approximately 55 feet (17 m))[4][6][8][9]
• Exterior materials: granite & sandstone[2]
• Clockworks manufacturer: Seth Thomas & Co.[4][6]
• Clock type: weight-driven[4]
• Bell weight: approximately 2,700 pounds (1,200 kg)[2]

See also

• Main Street Historic District (Roslyn, New York)
• National Register of Historic Places listings in North Hempstead (town), New York.

References

1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
2. "The Ellen E. Ward Clock Tower: The Symbol of Roslyn | Roslyn News". roslyn-news.com. Archived from the original on November 29, 2021. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
3. "Roslyn, NY |". www.roslynny.gov. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
4. "Ellen E. Ward Memorial Clock Tower | Profiles | Roslyn Landmark Society". www.roslynlandmarks.org. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
5. Russell, Ellen; Russell, Sargent (2009). Roslyn. Images of America. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7385-6505-7. LCCN 2008942609.
6. Ackerman, Ruthie (October 27, 2006). "Despite Repair Hurdles, a Clock Tower Is Saved". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
7. "Cultural Resource Information System (CRIS)". cris.parks.ny.gov. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
8. Walsh, Kevin (June 18, 2008). "TOWER OF ROSLYN". Forgotten New York. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
9. Lipson, Karin (March 16, 2016). "Roslyn, N.Y.: A Hint of New England". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 14, 2021.