To mark 100 years of the iconic Seth Thomas clock outside The Francis Hotel, we’re inviting you to help us create something timeless — a collection of 100 original photos or artworks celebrating the clock.
Submit your artwork or photography to our “100 Years, 100 Works” exhibit for a chance to win a free night’s stay at The Francis and have your piece displayed on our historic walls throughout the month of October. Whether it’s a photo you snapped the last time you were in town, a watercolor rendering of its charm, or a creative interpretation all your own, we want to see it. You can submit as many pieces as you’d like; each one counts as an entry into the drawing. See terms & conditions below.
Join us in Celebration
We will mark this milestone with a celebration on October 22nd. We invite you to gather with us across the street at Five of Clubs at 5:00pm, with remarks beginning at 5:30pm from representatives of The Francis, the Maine Historical Society, and Greater Portland Landmarks.
Guests are also encouraged to stop by The Francis before or after the toast to view the submitted artworks from our “100 Years, 100 Works” project, which will be displayed throughout the month of October.
This event is free and open to the public.
A (Time) Piece of Portland History
Installed in 1925 by Hay and Peabody to commemorate their 25th anniversary, the clock outside The Francis was built by the famed Seth Thomas Clock Co. — the same company behind Grand Central Terminal’s iconic timepiece. Ours is one of just 80 street clocks ever produced, and one of only a few with both mechanical and electric mechanisms.
By 2017, the once-proud clock had rusted and tilted, eventually landing on Greater Portland Landmarks’ “Places in Peril” list. That’s when The Francis team stepped in. Partnering with our neighbors, historians, conservators, and craftspeople, we led a community-driven effort to restore it. In 2021, the fully restored clock returned to its pedestal — its deep green finish gleaming by day, its four glowing faces keeping Portland on time by night. Learn more about the full restoration process in The Portland Press Herald.
SUBMISSION TERMS & CONDITIONS: Submission Deadline: All entries must be received by October 31, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST. The Prize: One randomly selected winner will receive a free one-night stay at The Francis Hotel (subject to availability, blackout dates may apply).The winner will be notified via email by Nov 5, 2025. Rights & Usage: By submitting to the contest, you grant The Francis Hotel a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to use, reproduce, display, and share your artwork across our digital and print marketing platforms (including social media, website, newsletters, and in-hotel displays), as well as modify or crop the work as necessary for formatting purposes. All submitters will be added to the Francis Hotel email list, which can be opted out of at any time. Liability: Any physical item submitted by mail will be property of The Francis Hotel and will not be returned. We’re not liable for any damage to artwork, though we’ll treat it with care and respect.
