"WHAT HAS GREENWICH TO DO WITH JERUSALEM"
Symposium
Saturday, February 1, 2025
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Cinema Room, Barrington Center for the Arts, Gordon College
- Free and Open to All Students and the Public -
A groundbreaking one-day symposium accompanies this exhibit. It features four eminent speakers on centuries of intersections between timekeeping and religion. Lectures followed by a panel discussion and informal break periods when attendees may engage with the speakers and each other.
- Dr. Sara Schechner, recently retired Curator of the Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments at Harvard University, will speak about Medieval cruciform sundials.
- Dr. Jennifer Powell McNutt, Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies at Wheaton College, will address changes in the calendar system in the Geneva of John Calvin (1509-1564).
- Daniel Benson is a minister, horologist, and theologian based in Toronto, will describe the famous monumental clock in France’s Strasbourg Cathedral.
- William J.H. Andrewes, horologist, scholar, author, designer of public sundials, and principal creator and organizer of the 1993 Longitude Symposium at Harvard University, will provide an overview of the origins of the mechanical clock in European monasteries and churches.
Schedule
8:00 - Gallery opens, hot beverages offered, informal conversations and introductions.
9:00 - Damon DiMauro, Co-Curator, Gordon College Professor of French, welcome and introduction of the day’s program.
9:10 - Welcome by Sarita Kwok, Dean, Adams School of Music and the Arts Adams Endowed Chair in Music.
9:15 - Dr. Jennifer Powell McNutt, Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies at Wheaton College: “Bells, Bibles, Calendars, and Clocks: Keeping Time in Reformation Europe.”
10:00 Brief Break
10:15 - Dr. Sara Schechner, recently retired Curator of the Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments at Harvard University: “Sundials and Matters of Faith.”
11:00 - Rev. Dan Benson, minister, horologist, and theologian based in Toronto: “Beyond Paley’s Watch,” the famous monumental clock in France’s Strasbourg Cathedral.
11:45 - Damon DiMauro, Co-Curator, thanks to morning speakers, announcement of on-campus dining options.
12:00 - Lunch in designated school venues, gallery open for viewing and informal gatherings.
1:15 - Bob Frishman, Co-Curator, independent horologist and scholar: welcome and introduction of afternoon program.
1:20 - William J.H. Andrewes, horologist, scholar, author, designer of public sundials, and principal creator of the 1993 Longitude Symposium at Harvard University: “Teach Us to Number Our Days,” origins of the mechanical clock in European monasteries and churches.
2:00 - Brief Break
2:15 - Panel discussion: speakers discussion then audience questions and comments.
3:00 - Informal conversations with speakers, curators, and attendees in the auditorium, main gallery, and small gallery where horological demonstrations will be offered.
4:30 - End of program, gallery open until 5 PM.