Rome’s Historic Clocktower – 150th Birthday Celebration

Rome Clocktower Turns 150 Years Old!

We will kick-off a year of celebrations with a Birthday Party and Clocktower Art Display on Thursday, January 27, 2022!
Read below for details. Download the Celebration Calendar (PDF)

Build Your Own Clocktower – Call for Entries

Entries Due: 5 p.m., January 25, 2022 (It’s free to enter!)
The Georgia’s Rome Tourism Office and Rome Historic Preservation invite you to build your own Rome Clocktower and submit it for display at the Rome Area History Center. The display will go up in windows at the center between January 27- February 11, 2022. Prizes will be awarded for creativity.

– Pick up a Rome Clocktower template at the Georgia’s Rome Gift Shop or the Rome Area History Gift Shop or download a template of the clocktower.
– You can also feel free to create your own clocktower using any material you prefer (cardboard, wood, clay – you get the idea!)
– To submit your clocktower for display, fill out an Entry Form
– Drop off your clocktower and entry form at the Rome Area History Center Gift Shop between January 11-25, 2022.
– All Rome Clocktower art submitted for the display must be representative of Rome’s Clocktower and must be 3-dimensional. (All artwork will be returned).
– Clocktowers will be on display January 27 – February 11, 2022.
– An opening awards reception will be held Thursday, January 27 at 5:30 pm at the Rome Area History Center, and prizes will be awarded!!!
– Need help building your clocktower? View the video tutorial provided below.

Build Your Own Rome Clocktower Tutorial

Rome Clocktower 150th Celebration Events

All ticketed events held at the Rome Clocktower benefit the Rome Clocktower Restoration Fund.
The Rome Area History Center is a non-profit; all ticketed events held at the center benefit the Rome Area History Center.

January

January 13, 2022, 4PM – Build Your Own Clocktower Craft Night
Join us at the Rome Area History Center to build your own Rome Clocktower Model.
Location: Rome Clocktower
Tickets: $5, Reserve Your Spot
View Event Photo Gallery

January 27, 2022, 11:30 AM – Rome Clocktower 150th Birthday Party
Come celebrate the 150th Birthday of the Rome Clocktower! The Water Tower was dedicated on January 27, 1872. The bell and clockworks were added between October and November later that same year. Celebrate 1870’s style with music, ceremony and of course, cake!
Location: Rome Clocktower
Tickets: Free Entry

January 27, 2022, 5:00 PM – Rome Clocktower Display Reception
Come view a beautiful display of Rome Clocktower Art at the Rome Area History Center. Awards will be given to recognize creativity in the clocktowers built for the display. Works will be made by artists of all ages and abilities. Awards for creativity will be announced at 5:30 PM.
Location: Rome Clocktower
Tickets: Free Entry

April

April 1 – 8:30 PM – Night with the Stars: Stargazing Event
View the stars and planets through telescopes from Clocktower Hill. Learn about the constellations and the universe. Details will be posted soon on how to secure your timeslot.
Location: Rome Clocktower
Tickets: Details coming soon

April 2 – Noon – First Saturday Clocktower Tours
Climb the steps to the very top to get the best view of our wonderful city! See the history of Rome in a painted mural depicting the founding of Rome through present day on the interior of the tower. Tours are offered the first Saturday of the month, April thru September.
Location: Rome Clocktower
Tickets: $10, Details coming soon

April 8 – 6 PM – Clocktower Lecture Series: History of the Hillside Pre-Civil War
A monthly lecture celebrating the Rome Clocktower will be held the second Friday of each month. Rome History Center Director will share new stories and unique insights each month.
Location: Rome Area History Center
Tickets: $5, (Free for members) Details coming soon

April 12 – 6 PM – Rome Clocktower History Special Exhibit Opening Ceremony
Location: Rome Area History Center (History Center Members Only)
Become a Member

April 13 – Rome Clocktower History Special Exhibit Open to Public
View the special exhibit on the history of the Clocktower and the Rome Fire Department. Exhibit will run through September.
Location: Rome Area History Center
Tickets: Free Entry

May

May 5 – 6 PM – Clocktower Storytelling Event with Bob Harris
Storyteller, Bob Harris will share wonderful tales of Rome and the Clocktower on the lawn of the Clocktower Hill.
Location: Rome Clocktower
Tickets: Free Entry

May 6 – 5:30 PM – Clocktower Painting Party with “Clocktails”
Join us for a painting party to create your own Clocktower masterpiece and enjoy “Clocktail drinks” on the deck overlooking downtown Rome with views of the river and of course – the Clocktower! Proceeds will benefit the Clocktower Restoration Fund.
Location: Courtyard Rome Riverwalk
Tickets: Details coming soon

May 7 – Noon – First Saturday Clocktower Tours
Climb the steps to the very top to get the best view of our wonderful city! See the history of Rome in a painted mural depicting the founding of Rome through present day on the interior of the tower. Tours are offered the first Saturday of the month, April thru September.
Location: Rome Clocktower
Tickets: $10, Details coming soon

May 13 – 6 PM – Clocktower Lecture Series: During and after the Civil War
A monthly lecture celebrating the Rome Clocktower will be held the second Friday of each month. Rome History Center Director will share new stories and unique insights each month.
Location: Rome Area History Center
Tickets: $5, (Free for members) Details coming soon

June

June 4 – Noon – First Saturday Clocktower Tours
Climb the steps to the very top to get the best view of our wonderful city! See the history of Rome in a painted mural depicting the founding of Rome through present day on the interior of the tower. Tours are offered the first Saturday of the month, April thru September.
Location: Rome Clocktower
Tickets: $10, Details coming soon

June 10 – 6 PM – Clocktower Lecture Series: Conception and Construction of the Water System and Tank
A monthly lecture celebrating the Rome Clocktower will be held the second Friday of each month. Rome History Center Director will share new stories and unique insights each month.
Location: Rome Area History Center
Tickets: $5, (Free for members) Details coming soon

July

July 2 – Noon – First Saturday Clocktower Tours
Climb the steps to the very top to get the best view of our wonderful city! See the history of Rome in a painted mural depicting the founding of Rome through present day on the interior of the tower. Tours are offered the first Saturday of the month, April thru September.
Location: Rome Clocktower
Tickets: $10, Details coming soon

July 8 – 6 PM – Clocktower Lecture Series: Tank and Brick Decagon Planning
A monthly lecture celebrating the Rome Clocktower will be held the second Friday of each month. Rome History Center Director will share new stories and unique insights each month.
Location: Rome Area History Center
Tickets: $5, (Free for members) Details coming soon

August

August 6 – Noon – First Saturday Clocktower Tours
Climb the steps to the very top to get the best view of our wonderful city! See the history of Rome in a painted mural depicting the founding of Rome through present day on the interior of the tower. Tours are offered the first Saturday of the month, April thru September.
Location: Rome Clocktower
Tickets: $10, Details coming soon

August 12 – 6 PM – Clocktower Lecture Series: Clock Works and Bell Additions
A monthly lecture celebrating the Rome Clocktower will be held the second Friday of each month. Rome History Center Director will share new stories and unique insights each month.
Location: Rome Area History Center
Tickets: $5, (Free for members) Details coming soon

September

September 3 – Noon – First Saturday Clocktower Tours
Climb the steps to the very top to get the best view of our wonderful city! See the history of Rome in a painted mural depicting the founding of Rome through present day on the interior of the tower. Tours are offered the first Saturday of the month, April thru September.
Location: Rome Clocktower
Tickets: $10, Details coming soon

September 9 – 6 PM – Clocktower Lecture Series: Alterations, Museum Creation, View to the Future
A monthly lecture celebrating the Rome Clocktower will be held the second Friday of each month. Rome History Center Director will share new stories and unique insights each month.
Location: Rome Area History Center
Tickets: $5, (Free for members) Details coming soon

September 24 – 8 PM – Movie Night at the Clocktower
See a special showing of the Clocktower Movie under the stars! The film was created by by Austin L. Wiggins of HindLight Media.
Location: Rome Clocktower
Tickets: Free entry

November

November 5 – 6 PM – Clocktower Fall Spectacular
Calling all amateur and professional photographers who enjoy capturing the beauty of fall from the best view in Rome – the top of the Clocktower!
Location: Rome Clocktower
Tickets: $10, Details coming soon

November 19 – 1PM – Clocktower Re-dedication Ceremony, Clockworks added in October of 1872
Location: Rome Clocktower
Tickets: Free entry