We know them as “grandfather” clocks. These imposing tall case clocks standing guard in stately manors denoted wealth and stature in 19th-century Kentucky. The exhibition, curated by Scott Erbes, the Speed’s curator of decorative arts and design, is the first to showcase these early timekeepers. It features 27 clocks documented with new research. The art of a tall case clock is not only in the wood cabinetry, but also in the movements of the gears and pendulums. The museum is hosting a symposium on Kentucky tall case clocks on Saturday, May 18.