Page 26 - December 2025 FINAL_Neat

26 December 2025 NHTownCrier.com

by Victor J. Fariello Jr.
"The Watchmaker" by Norman Rockwell
The Vanishing Watchmaker NH Historical Society –

I’m not sure how many readers remember that there was a watchmaker in the Your Support Is Appreciated
Village of New Hartford many years ago. His name was Castor Raleigh and his shop It’s a great time to renew or start your membership in this great community
was in the space that is now next to where Calabria Coffee is today. I used to ride asset. There are new rates for 2025: $20 Individual; $25-Family; $50-Contribute;
my bike from my house on Oxford Road to visit him. He was an expert watchmaker and $100-Corporate. You can also now pay for your membership online at the
and it was fascinating to watch him work. Although the shop was long and deep, he society’s website newhartfordhistory.com or you can mail your check payable to
had his watchmaker’s bench way up front in front of the window. By all appearances ‘NH Historical Society’ to PO Box 238, New Hartford, NY 13413. All donations are
he had plenty of work, in my opinion maybe too much and I think he had a hard tax deductible. Your support is appreciated.
time keeping up with it. Eventually health problems caused him to retire and close
up shop. NH Questers-Check Us Out
Since that time, the number of these master watchmakers has dwindled. Fewer and
fewer individuals are being trained for this profession which is sad. Unless things The J. Schoolcraft Sherman Chapter #1519 meets monthly at the NH Library except
change, and current trends suggest they probably won’t, it won’t be long before these July and August. Our meetings are at 4:30 p.m. on the 1st Monday of the month.
expert watchmakers will be exceedingly hard to find. They are already pretty scarce We are a chapter of the International Questers, an organization of individuals
and without an influx of new blood entering the field, I’m afraid the writing is on the interested in history, preservation and an appreciation for antiques. We try to have
wall for this vanishing art. an interesting program each month and members bring items for a Show & Tell.
There are efforts to keep this lost art alive with schools and training programs Dues are $50 per year and includes an online subscription to the quarterly Questers
that are trying to entice new entrants to the field. So far the numbers of individuals magazine. For more information contact me by email at vjfariello@gmail.com or
interested in pursuing this field is not overwhelming. We can only hope that more call 315-723-7285. We would be happy to have you come check us out!
will consider it. Victor J. Fariello Jr. is a lifelong resident of New Hartford and has been a collector and
I know for a fact that if Mr. Raleigh was still around, he would be busier than ever. dealer of antiques for many years. He is a past officer and member of the New Hartford
Happy Collecting! Historical Society and is the President of the J. Schoolcraft Sherman Chapter #1519 of
The Questers, an International organization for people who love antiques and have a
commitment to preservation. Questions on anything related to antiques can be sent to
him at PO Box 194, Washington Mills, NY 13479 or by email to vjfariello@gmail.com.
Any photos submitted will be returned upon request.

HELEN M. SARANDREA

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