Kroeger Clocks

The Kroeger family of Mennonite clockmakers, better known as Kroeger Clocks, was a well-known clockmaking family, the earliest recorded of whom was Peter D. Kroeger from Reimerswalde, near Danzig, Prussia in the mid-1700s.[1][2]

The clockmaking continued with Johann Kroeger, who moved in the late 18th century in the mass Mennonite migration to the Russian Empire and established his shop in Rosenthal, Chortitza, Ukraine. The clocks were made by five generations of the Kroeger family until the early 20th century and are known their high quality and elaborate design. The clocks were wall-hanging clocks and rope-driven, in the early years, often with floral patterns on the dial.[3] Most Mennonite families had one of these clocks as they were often given as wedding presents[4] and were passed on among Russian Mennonite families as valued heirlooms and collector's items.[5][6] Other Mennonite clock-makers include Lepp, Hildebrandt, Mandtler, and Hamm.[7]

The Kroeger Clock Heritage Foundation was established to preserve these and other Mennonite clocks, and has sponsored exhibits including the 2018 exhibit at Mennonite Heritage Village museum in Steinbach, Manitoba and others.[8][9]

References
  1. "A line into the past". CBC News. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  2. James O. Harms. The Mennonite Clockmakers and Prussia and Russia. Mennonite Historian XXXIV.
  3. Arthur Kroeger (2012). Kroeger Clocks. Mennonite Heritage Village.
  4. "Werder Clock". Association of Manitoba Museums. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  5. "Kroeger Clocks". Steinbach Online. March 27, 2013. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  6. James W. Gibbs (February 1974). Religious Sect Clockmakers. National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors.
  7. "Once Upon a Time". Virtual Museum of Mennonite Clocks. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  8. "2018 Exhibition". Virtual Museum of Mennonite Clocks. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  9. "Goessel museum features Russian Mennonite Clocks and More". The Hutchinson News. Retrieved March 29, 2020.


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