Robert C. Cheney
Executive Director and Curator, Robert C. Cheney, is a third-generation clockmaker, dealer, and nationally recognized authority on early American clocks. He has served as a conservator and consultant for over fifty museums including Old Sturbridge Village, Worcester Art Museum, American Antiquarian Society, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
Consulting has also brought him to the United States Capitol and Supreme Court, the US Department of State, and the White House. His museum affiliations include numerous terms and officer positions on the boards of the American Clock and Watch Museum, Bristol, CT, and the National Clock and Watch Museum, Columbia, PA.
He is co-author with Philip Zea (President of Historic Deerfield) of Clockmaking in New England, 1725-1825 as well as numerous articles and book reviews.
Cheney has lectured extensively on antique clocks in the United States, Canada, and the U.K. and has appeared as an appraiser for over a decade on PBS’s “Antiques Roadshow”.
After a 35-year career of self-employment and a decade as founder and Director of the Clocks, Watches, and Scientific Instruments department at Skinner Inc., Robert was brought in to head up the Willard House & Clock Museum.
Mr. Cheney is a Star Fellow in the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors for his writing, lectures, and leadership in the field of horology.