Old State House clock

Atop the Old State House’s spiral staircase, among the charred beams and dusty scaffolding, sits the 1831 Simon Willard winding clock. Located on the east façade, the clock’s face stands between an ornately sculpted lion and unicorn, symbols leftover from England’s Royal Coat of Arms. Overlooking State Street, the steeple stores the finely calibrated brass gears of this 177-year-old clock. Here, Denise Rubio, an Old State House museum associate, takes time to wind the clock. Using primarily mahogany and brass, clockmaker Willard’s work was nothing less than art.
Atop the Old State House’s spiral staircase, among the charred beams and dusty scaffolding, sits the 1831 Simon Willard winding clock.

Located on the east façade, the clock’s face stands between an ornately sculpted lion and unicorn, symbols leftover from England’s Royal Coat of Arms. Overlooking State Street, the steeple stores the finely calibrated brass gears of this 177-year-old clock.

Here, Denise Rubio, an Old State House museum associate, takes time to wind the clock. Using primarily mahogany and brass, clockmaker Willard’s work was nothing less than art.

(Photo: John Tlumacki/Globe Staff; Text: Chris Brook/Boston.com correspondent)

About the book

Boston's Secret Spaces offers tantalizing peeks into places ordinary mortals rarely see. Published in partnership with The Boston Globe and based on the exceedingly popular Boston.com feature (3.7 million page views and counting), the book takes readers behind the scenes at several sports hot spots, historical landmarks, and offbeat Beantown locales.