Artifacts tell the history of telephone use throughout our lives – from rotary dial phones with their operators to cell phones that revolutionized society – this collection is truly fascinating.
As one of the smaller science and art museums, this one operates with two and a half full-time positions and faces the risk of becoming an obsolete technology museum or becoming mired in hyperlocal history details if left to its own devices, but somehow manages to stay focused and achieve its mission successfully.
Collections
The collection features hundreds of telephone-related objects. It’s an ideal place to discover the history of communications technology – perfect whether you are passionate about history, science, collecting or just want to know how our modern telephone network functions so efficiently.
The museum features an impressive collection of telecom equipment and exhibits that chronicle Edmonton’s rich telecom history, as well as functioning switching equipment. There is also an extensive library containing publications related to telephony.
Room after room features wooden box phones, candlestick phones, classic rotary dials and novelty telephones – plus cases full of insulators (plastic devices used to house telephone wires). There is even an amusing and quirky stuffed bear named Bubba who can be reached using dial 1! Additionally, the museum boasts an impressive collection of red BT kiosks since BT donated ownership of their heritage collections to it.
Exhibits
The Museum houses one of the world’s finest collections of antique telephones and related telecommunications equipment, from those used by ED TEL to operator switchboards and military telephones; their collection spans nearly one century of communications technology in Roseville.
History of Telecommunications Comes Alive Here in our interactive exhibits Visitors will explore the ingenuity, craftsmanship and industry that created a global communications network from telegraph to the Internet – we have something for everyone here!
The Museum also hosts an exquisite collection of iconic yellow telephone kiosks which once dominated Britain’s roadside landscape for decades. These exhibits showcase telecommunications history and their social significance, making the Museum an engaging learning and play environment! Don’t miss it – join us today!
Events
We are dedicated to the preservation of telephone history, communications technology and related artifacts. Our aim is to present an interactive history lesson of telephone networks from 1876-present using working equipment as tangible proof of their relevance to society and technology development.
The museum features a classic operator switchboard complete with clickety-clack sounds from old technology, wooden box phones, candlestick phones, classic rotary dial phones and plenty of novelty phones in every shape and color imaginable. Furthermore, there is an exhibit of various sizes of insulators plus an entire manhole complete with climbing equipment for linemen – not to mention an exhibit of linemen’s climbing gear!
The Telecommunications History Group, a non-profit 501(c) (3) corporation founded in 1990 by both active and retired telecom employees concerned that historical items were being lost as buildings were demolished or departments no longer required them. The museum is open to the public and makes for an excellent family outing, school field trip destination or group sight-seeing tour destination.
Gift Shop
At the Museum of Telephone History are hundreds of antique telephones. Exploring this collection does not serve as an education in communication technology; rather it evokes public history nostalgia and memories of days gone by. Visitors smile at seeing party line phones or Scobie’s store phones that once graced kitchen walls in suburban homes; others recall receiving that call from their girlfriend or boyfriend that changed their lives forever.
Observing this collection also reminds visitors of how labor intensive connectivity was in past decades, illustrated by photographs of electric linemen like Mary Pucillo and Clara Cade. Their photographs illustrate a time when connecting people was hard work; while other collections include rotary and candlestick style phones manufactured by Leich, Western Electric, Kellogg as well as an original Bell system desk set from 1950.
The Museum shop is an incredible source for unique presents. Expand your Museum experience with keepsakes that celebrate specific halls; deepen scientific exploration with educational books and kits; or add to your memorabilia collection by stocking up on iconic Museum apparel and merchandise!
