Museum trustee Charles N. Grichar of Houston, Texas pledged the gift to help the museum grow into a world-class assemblage of clocks and related horological exhibits.  

The museum plans to build a space to accommodate 90 additional clocks with storage, a small auditorium, horological library, conservation workshops and classrooms. 

For its part, the museum must raise $3 million for its endowment to make the gift a reality. 

The Willard House and Clock Museum has already benefited from generous contributions from its trustees, added funding from major Worcester-based foundations, and contributions from benefactors and other sources. Two foundations have offered matching funds to grow the endowment.

Willard House & Clock Museum has passed its 50 year mark, carrying on its mission to preserve, display and connect through education and research, the contributions of the Willard Family of clockmakers and support the wonder and science of horology.

The museum will be holding a special public event on it grounds, on Saturday, April 27 from 12- 4 p.m. Grichar and the trustees will be introduced to the community. The public will learn about the vision for the new collection and building, take in feedback on the plan and raise funds for the museum endowment.