Small Schoolhouse Clock, the Octagon Model, Discontinued by Sessions
Reviving a Piece of American Educational History: The Sessions Drop Octagon Schoolhouse Clock
In the early 1920s, the Sessions Clock Company, a renowned American clock manufacturer, produced a unique and iconic timepiece—the Sessions Drop Octagon clock. This specific model, owned by an unnamed individual, is a prime example of the schoolhouse clocks that were common in rural areas of Canada and America during the early 20th century.
The Sessions Drop Octagon clock, with its distinctive drop octagon shape, was manufactured in Forestville, Connecticut, USA. The design, which features an octagonal face and a longer "drop" section below, housing the pendulum, was popular in one-room schoolhouses, public buildings, and homes. The clocks were valued for their reliability, clear dial design, and classic American craftsmanship.
These clocks carry historical significance as an emblem of American educational and public life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Their design reflects the utilitarian and decorative tastes of the period, bridging Federal and Victorian influences in clockmaking aesthetics. Due to their rugged build and the Sessions company's reputation, these clocks remain popular among collectors and restorers today.
The Sessions Clock Company, founded in 1903 by William E. Sessions and Aaron Lufkin Dennison, gained a reputation for producing clocks that were both reliable and of high quality. The company, one of the leading clock manufacturers in the United States in the early 20th century, is especially noted for its quality in the drop octagon schoolhouse clock category.
The clock in question, when the speaker purchased it, was not running. After a good cleaning, it was found to have a loud tick but runs well. The clock, which is 21 inches high, 13 1/2 inches wide, and has a 7-inch Arabic dial, spent most of its life hung in a one-room schoolhouse near Springhill, Nova Scotia, Canada. The seller removed the clock from the schoolhouse when it was decommissioned in the 1970s.
The clock's face has some foxing, a discoloration caused by tin byproduct leaching onto the paper label. The term "schoolhouse clock" was later coined by collectors to describe a particular style of clock commonly found in school settings. The name "Ansonia" is associated with the Sessions Drop Octagon clock, but its significance is not specified in the text.
Despite the lack of well-documented origins for the name "schoolhouse clock," these vintage American wall clocks continue to be cherished for their historical and aesthetic value. They serve as a tangible link to the past, reminding us of a simpler time when these clocks kept the rhythm of life in one-room schoolhouses across America and Canada.
[1] Wikipedia: Sessions Clock Company [2] Wikipedia: Schoolhouse clock
- The delicate fusion of history and style in the Sessions Drop Octagon clock harmonizes it perfectly with the lifestyle adepters of vintage designs, making it a prized addition to the fashion-and-beauty or home-and-garden sectors.
- In the realm of home decor, antique collectors have long coveted the unique charm of schoolhouse clocks like the Sessions Drop Octagon clock, which, beyond their vintage appeal, hold a significant place in American educational history.
