The clock originally came from Meroogal and was most likely given to the Nowra Museum in the late 1960s.

Known affectionately as the “beehive clock”, it was identified by the Shoalhaven Historical Society in 2014 as having originated from Meroogal. 

It appeared to have been donated to the Nowra Museum by one of the former residents of Meroogal.

The Shoalhaven Historical Society has donated the clock back to Meroogal, where it once resided in the kitchen. 

It has been restored by local clock expert Ivan Estreich and is once again keeping time.

The clock was made by the New Haven Clock Company, Connecticut, USA around 1856–1860.

It is a case clock, with its weights enclosed inside the case, a 19th century innovation meaning that it could be compact and sit on a shelf. 

This design also means that it is very top heavy and not many clocks of this style have survived as they had a tendency to fall over. 

“The clock features a beehive motif, evoking ideas of being ‘busy as a bee’, tireless labour and an effective use of time – all concepts very familiar to the Thorburn and Macgregor women of Meroogal,” Meroogal assistant portfolio curator Anna Corkhill said.

The handover ceremony will take place on Thursday, July 16 at 11am at Meroogal, on the corner of West and Worrigee streets in Nowra.