The Horological Society of New York’s next lecture, taking place on Monday, June 5, will hear from Dr. Paul Lawrie, Associate Professor, Department of History, York University, who will speak about the remarkable life of Peter J. Huffstead — Harlem’s self-described “master clockmaker” — and one of the earliest Black members of the HSNY.
The lecture will explore how time — much like race — possesses an ostensible ‘naturalism’ which often obscures the various historical factors which went into its making.
Dr. Paul Lawrie’s research asks if time is indeed relative — as something born of specific historical contingencies — then how do different peoples experience time differently?
Moreover, how does the lived experience of time create or reinforce racial inequality within cities? Time and race intersected to inform the landscape of modern urban America in a number of ways: from curfews and commutes to time work management and timekeeping itself.
An analysis of Mr Huffstead’s career reveals key insights into the racialized nature of expertise, migration, the politics of respectability and the making of urban community in early 20th century America.
Positing time as a past, present and future agent of urban development and racial identity, this lecture presents new perspectives into the spatial and temporal dynamics of urban race relations from the assembly line to the city streets.
The lecture is open to HSNY members.
A video will be shared with members immediately and to the general public in around two months.