The following Monday morning, Galbraith reported to work at the Oldtimer Clock Shop in Austin. There, in the office of the owner, Bob Larson, he confided his idea of founding a museum. “Well, that sounds like something that would be good to do,” Mr. Larson commented in a noncommittal sort of way. Galbraith confessed, “I just wanted you to be the first to know about it.”Thus ended the talk of a museum for that day. As the days and weeks passed, Bob Larson became more interested in the notion of having a clock and watch museum in the Central Texas area. He would be a respected voice in helping Galbraith fulfill his vision.
The museum would be called the Southwest Museum of Clocks and Watches. Galbraith set about putting together a Board of Directors. On March 20th, 2007, he invited various associates whom he felt would be like-minded in the establishment of a museum to become prospective board members.
The next day he filed incorporation documents with the Secretary of State. On April 9th, 2007, the Museum was officially a Texas Nonprofit Corporation. The first meeting of the chosen few was convened on April 16th, 2007, at Jim’s Restaurant in Oakhill, Texas. Elections were held at this meeting with the following results: President, Gene Galbraith; Vice-President, Dennis Warner; Secretary, David Douglas; Treasurer, Pat Holloway; and Directors, Jerry Brazil, Bob Larson, Levi Lewis, Mike McGregor, and Ken Reindel.
The Application for Recognition of Exemption Under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code was prepared on June 23rd, 2007, and was sent to the Internal Revenue Service. On September 23rd, 2007, the Museum received notification from the IRS that the Museum qualified for the requested designation and that all donations and bequeaths were tax deductible. The Southwest Museum of Clocks and Watches was now a legally constituted entity and exempt from federal taxes. Meanwhile Galbraith was busy launching a public relations campaign. The public needed to be prepared for the idea that a clock museum was coming to the Central Texas area. What better way to bring clocks to the awareness of people than to showcase the tower clock in the Caldwell County Courthouse in Lock- hart, Texas? In June of 2005, Galbraith had signed a contract with Caldwell County to maintain the Seth Thomas Clock in the tower. This business arrangement would be a valuable connection in promoting his next project.
The Commissioners Court of Caldwell County met on February 8th, 2007, to consider a request by Gene Galbraith to present an educational program in the County Court Room located on the second floor. The program would be followed by guided tours of the tower to view the great Seth Thomas Clock on the seventh floor. After much discussion and assurances that the event could be safely undertaken, the County Judge, H.T. Wright, made the motion to grant Galbraith’s request to organize and conduct a Tower Clock Open House on March 24th, 2007, from 11 am to 4 pm. The Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the request. The advertising poster stated that the event would be “Sponsored by the National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors Southwestern Chapter 15 in cooperation with the Caldwell County Commissioners Court, H.T. Wright, County Judge.”
Preparing for the open house involved several members of Chapter 15, including Dennis Warner. He and Galbraith met in Lockhart on several occasions to make plans and review the logistics required to have a successful open house. It was during one of these sessions that Galbraith talked with Warner about the possibility of establishing a clock museum in Lockhart. Dennis Warner immediately became intrigued with the idea. He pointed out that the historical setting was ideal; being the home of the magnificent courthouse with its great tower clock. Together they walked about the square and identified buildings that might be suitable to house the museum. Several locations seemed plausible, but only one site really captured their attention. It was the majestic Brock Building on the north east corner of Main and San Antonio, across the street from the grand courthouse. It was presently occupied by an upscale boutique shop. Judy Alexander, proprietor of the shop, had no plans to vacate the building. Galbraith handed his business card to the lady and said, “Let me know if the building becomes available.” Warner and Galbraith had to get on with their plans for the open house. Talk of a clock museum was put on hold.
The Tower Clock Open House was a resounding bell ringing success. Many people from Lockhart and other Central Texas cities turned out to see the great clock. More importantly it brought the sleepy City of Lockhart to the attention of clock enthusiasts who expressed great appreciation for the historical beauty and significance of the setting.
As Vice-President of Southwestern Chapter 15, Galbraith was in charge of organizing and promoting the Great Southwestern Regional Convention to be held in Kerrville, Texas, on April 20th – 21st, 2007. The printed program for the convention carried a full page color advertisement: “The Southwest Museum of Clocks & Watches/A museum is coming to Central Texas./The Grand Opening is projected for the spring or summer of 2008.” For the first time Galbraith had gone public with his plans to establish a clock museum. This announcement represented a huge leap of faith. Would the fledging organization succeed? Just ten days before the Regional Convention, the Museum’s Board of Directors had been formally installed, but incorporation proceedings had not yet been completed. There certainly was no “real clock muse- um.” Not one clock was on exhibit. There was no building to call home. Therefore, there could be no visitors.
On another front Galbraith was lobbying the City of Lockhart for recognition and assistance. “The establishment of a museum of clocks and watches in Lockhart would provide an anchor tourist attraction comparable to that of the Nimitz Museum in Fredericksburg, Texas,” argued Galbraith to the Lockhart Economic Development Corporation on April 2nd, 2007. While the LEDC was intrigued by the idea, the members extended their best wishes for success, but offered no further encouragement or incentives.
The Great Southwestern Regional Convention in April provided Galbraith with two opportunities. First, he was able to promote the museum project and get feedback from the clock people. Second, he was elected President of Southwestern Chapter 15 of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors. The prestige of this office would add credibility and the force of leadership in his campaign to bring about support for the Museum.
After the Museum received its Articles of Incorporation in the State of Texas from the Secretary of State, the Board of Directors held meetings to hammer out a Constitution and Bylaws. Following much discussion and editing of the draft document, the final version was recorded with the Secretary of State and was included in the application for 501(c) (3) status with the Internal Revenue Service. During the summer months the Museum’s Board of Directors would lose two Directors; Jerry Brazil and Ken Reindel.
On August 28th, 2007, at the Capitol Area Watchmakers-Clockmakers Guild’s monthly meeting, Galbraith stood up and announced the coming of the Southwest Museum of Clocks and Watches. The meeting adjourned without were drawn up for the construction of five galleries and a media center. A Build- ing Permit was granted by the City of Lockhart. PowerPoint presentations were made to various groups in an effort to raise funds for the remodeling project. Up to now Galbraith had personally financed the founding of the Museum with some help from the Board of Directors. It was time to tap other resources for assistance in the purchase of construction materials. Appeals went out to the limited data base to raise money. Life Memberships were offered at the rates of $250, $500, and $1,000. People responded, and in two months the Museum had received sufficient funds to begin the renovations. On January 14th, 2008, one year after Galbraith had decided to establish a museum, work was underway to make it a reality. Remember that the Grand Open- ing had been projected for the spring or summer of 2008.
The Museum needed a brand, a logo, a symbol, that would project a distinctive image, recognizable in an instant. Galbraith sought out the services of a renowned graphic designer, Molly Humphrey. After several consultations and review of various designs, Galbraith chose two that conveyed exactly what he felt would best define the Museum. The primary design would be used on the out- door sign on the building. The secondary design would be the Seal of the Museum. Both designs proved to be highly effective in attracting attention to the Museum.
Lockhart celebrates the Rites of Spring each year on the fourth week end of March. The date for 2008 would be
March 28th and 29th. Galbraith saw this as a target date to open the Museum. He mobilized his volunteers and announced that the Grand Opening would be set for March 29th, 2008, one year after the Tower Clock Open House. The demoli- tion crew began tearing out unwanted partitions to open up the space which would become the front lobby and gal- lery. The construction gang set about to build the partitions for the other four galleries. Scaffolds were set up to scrape and repaint the tin ceiling. After the construction was completed, the paint- ing specialists tackled the job of making the raw wood look beautiful. Finally, the cleanup flunkies made everything ready for setting up exhibits. Interior decorators supervised the placement of furniture, clocks, and greenery. Finally, at 5:30 am on March 29th, Galbraith and his faithful volunteers agreed that all was ready. Ev- erybody went home to catch a few winks of sleep before returning at 9 am to open the doors of the Southwest Museum of Clocks and Watches to the public.
The Grand Opening was, by all accounts, a glorious day. Guests from far and wide came to celebrate the moment when the Museum would begin Keeping Time. Many wonderful timepieces were displayed. Collectors donated or loaned fine clocks and watches to the Museum where the world could come and admire these mechanical marvels. Opening day was the fulfillment of the vision of one man, Gene Galbraith, the Founder of the Southwest Museum of Clocks and Watches.