Telephone Historical Centre serves as a gathering, research, and documentation center for materials pertaining to telecom history. Their collections showcase how far communications technology has progressed from Alexander Graham Bell’s solid wood wall-mounted operator-directed phones through to today’s multifunctional pocket cell phones.
This project employs short telephone surveys to gather information from older adults about their experience during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Traveling Trunks Program
The Telephone Historical Centre’s Education department offers an array of outreach programs that align to classroom standards. Ranging from Alexander Graham Bell’s solid wood wall-mounted phones that required operator supervision to today’s sleek cellular phones, these programs demonstrate how technology is ever-evolving while at the same time helping future generations explore innovative forms of communication.
The Traveling Trunks program brings hands-on teaching resources directly into classrooms. Each trunk contains information and reproduction artifacts designed to increase students’ understanding of history, culture and community.
Educators can rent any one of the trunks listed on the website. Teachers may either visit the museum to collect and return it themselves or arrange to have it shipped at an additional charge; every trunk also comes equipped with its own teacher’s guide.
Education is at the Heart of the Museum’s Mission
As landline telephones become less prevalent, museums that specialize in telecom history can serve as valuable educational opportunities. These unique, specialized institutions demonstrate how innovation like the telephone has progressed from Alexander Graham Bell’s wall-mounted phones which required operator supervision all the way to modern cellular phones which offer multifunctional features.
Roseville Telephone Museum provides visitors with a memorable journey back in time with its impressive collection of antique phones spanning manual cord boards, candlestick phones and wooden wall phones; working Panel/Crossbar electromechanical central office switch; outside plant displays complete with poles cables and splicing equipment; as well as an extensive cataloged telecommunications reference library for research.
The museum also provides guided tours and hands-on learning experiences, from fiddling with an intricate switchboard to learning how to operate one of the first push-button cascade dial telephones. These interactive, hands-on experiences are an engaging way to promote technology interest while sparking critical thinking skills.
The Museum’s Forward-Thinking Approach to Sustainability
At its core, Museum Sustainability refers to the implementation of strategies into all facets of a museum’s operations in such a way that their goals become interwoven rather than treated as separate initiatives. This involves understanding the interdependency between functions such as building materials storage and collection storage facilities allowing more effective resource allocation management and administration.
Lifecycle analysis (LCA) can be used to measure the environmental impacts of exhibition materials and construction methods, and select lower-impact alternatives. Repurposing exhibition materials like de-installed frames and costumes into new displays helps prevent further wasteful disposal altogether.
Cooperating and forming partnerships with local suppliers to reduce its reliance on outside materials sources; instilling and encouraging a culture of sustainability among museum staff members so everyone can contribute towards its sustainable practices; engaging with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); actively advocating sustainable change with museums as key players driving sustainable transformation;
The New Hampshire Telephone Museum’s Community Outreach Initiatives
the New Hampshire Telephone Museum offers an incredible educational and interactive experience in its collection of communication technology history, with guided and self-guided tours as well as an engaging app bringing it all alive! No matter your passion: history or tech.
The Museum of Telecommunications features over 1000 artifacts from the telecoms industry, from early switchboards to modern smartphones. Alderic O. “Dick” Violette began this collection during his career in telephone networks; his passion led him to found this museum.
The New Hampshire Telephone Museum stands out for its forward-thinking approach to sustainability. Their use of solar panels and energy efficient lights, along with plans to install electric vehicle charging stations shows their dedication to not just preserving past but future as well.
