Kennett Square's Clock Tower is Cool

Have you heard? Kennett Square is cool. Yep. It’s true. Locals love, it, and visitors quickly adore and admire it. (We’re not biased or anything.)

At the heart of our small town is a silent, smiling face (well, actually three of them), that watch our locals and visitors visit, explore, shop, work, dine and live in Kennett Square. Our clock tower in the center of the square is the constant in a life of change, and I often look at it and smile when I think about all it has seen.

1. IT’S OLD

The three clock faces date back to 1905, making them at least 115 years old. The first home for the clock faces was the former location of the Fireman’s Auditorium located on East State Street. The clock faces were in this location from 1905 until 1965, when the building was razed.

2. THE CLOCK FACES WERE IN STORAGE FOR 33 YEARS

When the Fireman’s Auditorium was razed in 1965, some very caring folks organized to preserve and store the clock faces for use somewhere in the future. Not knowing when or how this would happen, the clock was lovingly protected, stored and cared for from 1965 until 1998.

3. SOME PEOPLE “OWN” MINUTES OF THE CLOCK

In 1998 Genesis Healthcare and a small group of local folks joined together to raise funds for the clock faces to be incorporated into their new headquarter building. To assist with funding, some very creative folks sold $10 certificates to own a minute of the clock.

4. IT SLOWS EVERY AUGUST

We talk about the clock on our food tour, and we have noticed the clock slows, and eventually stops, every August. It sure doesn’t take long, however, for the faces to come alive again, usually within a week or two.

5. IT IS A SYMBOL OF HOW FAR KENNETT SQUARE HAS COME

The clock faces have witnessed the exciting growth and changes of our little small town. Kennett Square has grown from a sleepy town the majority of people drove through, to a vibrant, cultural destination in the heart of the Brandywine Valley.

I am sure the clock faces are smiling at how wonderful, and cool, Kennett Square has become.