Stony Brook, NY – Do you know what an Antiquarian Horologist is? It’s someone who restores antique timekeeping devices! You can come and meet the man literally behind the Stony Brook Village Mechanical Eagle, Marshall Irving, who is responsible for taking care of the very intricate mechanisms of this popular landmark, at a free Master Class on May 22 from 1 pm to 2:30 pm. 
The massive, original wood carved eagle atop the Stony Brook Post Office is synchronized with a clock inside its dome enabling it to flap its 20 foot wing span each hour on the hour from 8 am to 8 pm daily, as it has done for almost 80 years. Access to the inner workings of the eagle is an achievement in and of itself as Irving, who recently turned 90 years young, has to navigate through various passageways to work on the beloved attraction. In addition to the on-the-hour display, Irving added a push-button feature allowing the eagle’s wings to be turned on manually for special occasions.
Hear his fascinating story of growing up on a small farm in Maryland to becoming a Naval Engineer. Irving attended the Kings Point Merchant Marine Academy where he received a degree in steamship engineering and received a master’s degree in engineering management from Long Island University. He worked at Dayton T. Brown’s testing lab in Amityville on aircraft and survival and safety gear for the U.S. Navy, and during the Korean War he served aboard the Intrepid as a Lieutenant transporting special weapons through the Mediterranean during two deployments in Europe and the Middle East.
The event will take place at WMHO’s Educational & Cultural Center located at 97P Main Street in the rear of the Stony Brook Village Center and refreshments will be served.
For further information on Marshall Irving visit http://stonybrookvillagecenterblog.com/a-marshall-irving/ or call 631-689-5888.
