INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) - Indiana Landmarks announced Thursday that the campaign to restore the clock from the L.S. Ayres building downtown exceeded its goal.
The campaign launched on October 5 with a $20,000 goal to sync the time on the clock's four faces by Thanksgiving, when the Ayres cherub arrives to signal the start of the holiday shopping season.
Marsh Davis, Landmarks president, said the foundation increased the goal to $60,000 after finding the bronze case in need of care and cleaning. "With contributions and pledges," he said, "we reached the goal on October 26, in less than a month. It’s the fastest restoration campaign in our history.”
The donations mean the five-ton clock will once again be lit from within and telling the correct time by November 23.
More than 340 donors contributed to the restoration campaign, with many gifts in honor or in memory of people who worked or shopped at L.S. Ayres & Co., or met under the clock on regular or special occasions.
Smith’s Bell and Clock Company will begin work on the clock next week.
Periodic maintenance will continue in the future, according to Davis.
Indiana Landmarks is working with the city and Downtown Indy on an unveiling of the restored clock some time in November.
