Four of us former zipperheads (i.e., IBM employees) visited the Bundy Museum of History and Art in Binghamton NY and thoroughly enjoyed it. The main attractions is the Queen Anne style Victorian house built by Harlow and Julia Bundy in the 1890s. The Bundy brothers started the first ever time recording company which became quite successful and, through various mergers and acquisitions, eventually became IBM.

Our museum guide was well versed in the house, its history and restoration, the Bundy family history, life in the late 1800s, and the whole evolution of the time recording business. The museum includes a nice display of many of the clocks, scales, and other devices made by Bundy Manufacturing Company through its incredible evolution.

The museum also has an improbable collection of other things related to Binghamton history including a lot of Rod Serling/”Twilight Zone” memorabilia, and a complete barbershop that used to serve the clean-cut Endicott IBM employees from 1940 through 1982.

The museum also features rotating displays; we saw some interesting artwork from a local (Endicott) artist and some (rather unfortunate) installation works by Binghamton University students scattered around the mansion.

It was a fun and fascinating couple of hours for us.  We recommend it to anyone in the area who might have an interest in Victorian homes, life around 1900, IBM origins, Rod Serling, old barbershops, or “interesting” art.

Decorated for the holidays, this original staircase in the Bundy Queen Anne style Victorian home dates from the 1890s.
Bundy Museum of History & Art
One of the many time recording machines on display in the Bundy Museum which provide exmples from the companies that eventually merged with Bundy Time Recorder, eventually becoming IBM.
From the “Living Doll” episode of the Twilight Zone, this doll is among a large collection of Rod Serling memorabilia at the Bundy Museum. Serling was born in Syracuse NY but spent most of his youth in Binghamton NY.
Originally O.K. Barbershop, it was located in Endicott directly across the street from IBM. The contents of the shop were saved when it closed in 1982 and are now on display.