From replicas of Alexander Bell’s original telephone to rotary dial phones, this collection provides an interactive tour through the history of telecom. Additionally, it pays homage to those who worked to erect poles, lay cables and manage technology over generations of time.
The museum draws retirees who want a bit of geekery as well as young visitors who were once charmed by its old switchboards and clickety-clack sounds.
Telephones
No matter your interest – whether it’s collecting phones, exploring history or just being curious – there is plenty to see and do here. From Alexander Graham Bell’s invention through to modern day mobile phones – explore them all here!
At Jefferson Barracks National Historic Landmark, this museum exhibits many different pieces of antique telecommunications equipment. Their impressive collection includes a working switchboard, linemen’s tools and parts from Alexander Graham Bell’s original phone.
This eclectic collection explores the development of telecom in Guernsey over time, from traditional rotary dial phones and vintage payphones to KX100 Plus Internet Kiosks and much more! As a non-profit 501(c)(3) museum funded through membership fees and donations for research. This one’s definitely worth seeing!
Switchboards
The Telephone Historical Centre Collections go beyond simply displaying artifacts – their hands-on and interactive stations offer visitors an interactive experience. Museum volunteers, who are often former telecom professionals themselves, assist visitors in using these old phones and switchboards.
Before direct calling became common practice, callers would dial a number and wait for a human operator to connect them with the individual they desired to speak to. Switchboards like this one were responsible for handling hundreds of calls daily.
As soon as a call was placed, an operator would plug a jack for every subscriber before telling them who to connect them with in a soft voice. From there, wires connected the jacks across cities to telephone poles where their respective subscribers were housed – this manual system only lasted briefly before becoming obsolete and being replaced with automated systems.
Wall Phones
The Museum boasts telephones from every era. One standout piece is a replica of Alexander Graham Bell’s first phone, which spoke his famous first words: “Mr. Watson, come here! I need you!”
Our collection also features wooden three box wall phones featuring magneto or switch hooks, glass wet cell batteries and a switch on the back that allows users to hang up the phone – these were in use until late 19th century and are known by collectors as picture frame front telephones.
Colourful painted backdrops add vibrant touches to equipment displays such as the full-sized magneto switchboard, last step-by-step private automatic branch exchange system and panel systems on display here. These exhibits highlight how technological changes have affected America’s telecommunications infrastructure over the years; making this museum a fascinating stop for history buffs, families, school groups and sightseeing tours visiting Edmonton.
Telephone Books
The Collection holds an extensive collection of telephone directories, more commonly referred to as yellow pages or golden pages. These city or business directory books feature lists of individuals alphabetically by name and occupation as well as details such as their housing situation (whether owned, rented or employer provided phone service) as well as type of home they inhabit or rent.
The Collection boasts a two-position Kellogg universal switchboard that allows visitors to test out this early communication technology. There are also telephone postcards and tape recordings commemorating its invention and history; and early newspaper clipping and scrapbook binders that will be microfilmed and distributed among libraries or interested parties for research. This will protect these invaluable records while providing researchers with resources they can access for study.
Phone Booths
This museum not only boasts a working switchboard but also exhibits various telephone booths (such as one designed after Superman) and related items to honor those who made telephony possible by erecting poles, digging cables, designing phones and managing networks over generations of men and women.
The telephone booth, also known as a kiosk or public call box, has become an iconic image of British roadside life and can often be found featuring in films and TV shows from Superman to Doctor Who. Unfortunately however, they have become less common over time due to declining demand. Portsmouth’s K6 telephone box received from Portsmouth New Hampshire as a gift was recently restored by volunteers with its crown design mirroring HMS Sirius’ links with local community life.
