It’s about time: Clock repairman restoring Historic Bethlehem antiques
By Kaitlyn Schock
Of Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites
JANUARY 29, 2023 — Hagerstown-based art and antique consultant, Ray Snouffer, spends much of his time and talents repairing clocks.
So, recognizing that his services were in need, Snouffer decided to volunteer to help rescue and restore some classic timepieces for Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites. The exquisitely unique clocks are located at the Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts (427 N. New Street) and the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem (66 W. Church Street).
Snouffer is an expert on tall case clocks and early shelf clocks. He's also a member of the National Clock and Watch Association — a group committed to educating the public about timepieces and the science behind them.
Two antiques he's working on were built and crafted by John Samuel Krause and Jedediah Weiss. Both artists lived in Bethlehem. Snouffer has determined that both clocks were made between 1805-1815.
Snouffer is also an artist, specializing in watercolor paintings. He has entered works in the annual art competition of Berkeley Arts Council (Berkeley, West Virginia). His 2022 creation “Reflections of Calm” received an honorable mention.
He is an instructor of 19th-century watercolor techniques from beginner to advanced.
You can visit The Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts and/or The Moravian Museum of Bethlehem to learn more about these amazing pieces. Purchase your tickets at historicbethlehem.org.
The museums are open 11 am to 5 pm Fridays - Sundays.
