Author: Morris Butler
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Modern telephone calling can seem magical: press one button and your mom in Philadelphia or your BFF in New York are only moments away. This museum provides an opportunity to explore this marvel, along with the generations of workers who erect poles, bury cables and create and manage its technology.

From old directories to working panel and crossbar electromechanical central office type switching systems, this collection of phone-related items is remarkable.

Telecommunications History Gallery

The Telecommunications History Gallery features an engaging timeline from Alexander Graham Bell’s patenting of his invention through to today’s sleek cellular phones. Housed within the museum’s System Room, full-scale mannequins highlight key innovations like first undersea transatlantic telegraph cable installation; development of transistor and silicon wafer technologies; as well as AT&T Corporation being split up into seven regional Bell Operating Companies.

The exhibit showcases working Panel and Crossbar electromechanical switching systems as well as an operator switchboard, antique wooden wall phones and candlestick desk phones, antique mobile telephone displays, as well as one of North America’s largest telecommunications reference libraries. Many volunteers at the museum are former telephone professionals themselves who can share firsthand knowledge about using some of this equipment; serving as living encapsulations of history while making learning fun! They help make visiting this museum an educational yet hands-on experience for visitors.

Antique Telephone Exhibit

Relive your memories of party lines or three-way calling with this interactive history museum! From recalling how inconvenient they could be to experiencing its joys as a kid to seeing how far technology has come since then! This self-guided experience takes visitors back in time in an engaging and insightful manner.

Museum volunteers were delighted when former telephone workers responded enthusiastically, sending items flooding in from garages and sheds across the nation.

The museum exhibits antique phones that date from Alexander Graham Bell’s first acoustic telegraph through to electric-sounding rotary phones and push-button models made later on. Furthermore, working panel and crossbar electromechanical central office switches, outdoor plant displays including poles cables and splicing gear as well as an extensive cataloged reference library on telecom are displayed here as well as an extensive reference library on telecom. Many volunteer staff include former Bell System employees or professionals that share their knowledge to make visitors’ visit an experience they won’t soon forget.

Mobile-Telephone Exhibit

Today’s sleek cell phones make it seem easy to connect with mom in Philadelphia or your best friend in New York at the push of a button – yet these amazing inventions weren’t always this straightforward; this museum provides visitors with an insight into telecommunications technology from yesteryear that was all wires and cords.

This non-profit museum covers communications history since Alexander Graham Bell’s patent in 1876. Guided and self-guided tours are available of this collection.

Established by retired telephone employees, this museum features working Panel and Crossbar electromechanical central office step switches; antique wooden box phones; candlestick wall phones; operator switchboards; outside plant displays with poles cables splicing equipment tools as well as one of North America’s largest catalogued telecom reference libraries.

Objects of Curiosity

From an ancient narwhal tusk to a miniature portrait fashioned out of split lengths of human hair, the museum collection spans centuries and features both natural and manmade marvels. Displayed within an elaborate Wunderkammer cabinet – once an early version of today’s museums – are its many objects of curiosity.

This collection serves to educate visitors about telecommunications history and attracts both retirees who appreciate antique telecom equipment as well as young people eager to gain more insight into telecom technology. In addition, there are interactive exhibits and QR codes which enable visitors to gain a closer look at objects through smart phone lenses.

The second phase of this exhibition features works that the museum’s curatorial and conservation staff have unanswered questions about. These works include mounted animals, ancient glass objects, Greek vases and ornithology collections as well as Japanese Tansu, Chinese Cloisonne and Snuff Bottles from Japan and China respectively.

Learning Resource Room

Modern phone calling may feel like magic – pressing one button connects us instantly with our loved ones in Philadelphia or New York – yet, its beginning wasn’t always so seamless; this collection provides visitors a window into its early history and how its evolution has transformed our lives.

This exhibit showcases manual system phones first introduced to Edmonton in 1885 as well as operator switchboards and other rare telecommunications equipment. Exhibits also illustrate the progress of telephone technology since Alexander Graham Bell’s workshop to modern mobile phones.

The Learning Resource Center offers space for study, research, leisure reading and class preparation. Students, faculty and staff may borrow books, periodicals and newspapers from our collection for free as well as interlibrary loan, photocopying and printing.

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The concertina is a small, hexagonal, bellows-powered musical instrument known for its distinctive sound and deep connection to traditional folk music. Despite its modest size, the concertina produces a rich, expressive tone that has earned it a cherished place in musical traditions around the world. From Irish pubs and English dance halls to South African folk festivals, the concertina has captured the hearts of musicians and listeners for nearly two centuries.

Origins and Invention

The concertina was invented in the early 19th century by English physicist and inventor Sir Charles Wheatstone, who patented the instrument in 1829. Around the same time, a German version developed by Carl Friedrich Uhlig gave rise to the “Anglo” concertina, named for its Anglo-German heritage. These two primary types — the English and Anglo concertina — remain the most commonly played versions today.

The English concertina is fully chromatic, with the notes arranged in an alternating pattern between the two hands. This design makes it ideal for playing both melody and harmony, especially in classical and parlor music. The Anglo concertina, on the other hand, uses a diatonic scale and produces different notes when the bellows are pushed or pulled — a feature that lends itself well to rhythmic, dance-friendly folk music.

Structure and Function

At its core, the concertina is a free-reed instrument, similar to the accordion and harmonica. It consists of two ends connected by collapsible bellows. Each end contains rows of buttons (usually between 20 and 48), which control the airflow over metal reeds inside the instrument. When a player presses a button and moves the bellows, the air passes over a reed and produces sound.

The layout of the buttons and the mechanics of airflow vary depending on the type of concertina. The English concertina allows for more straightforward melodic playing with the same note sounding in both bellows directions, while the Anglo’s push-pull system adds a bouncy, rhythmic quality to its tone.

Concertinas are typically made with wooden ends, leather bellows, and metal or synthetic reeds. They can be highly decorative, featuring intricate fretwork and bellows papers, making them both functional instruments and beautiful works of craftsmanship.

Concertina in Traditional Music

The concertina holds a particularly prominent place in Irish traditional music, where the Anglo concertina is commonly used for playing jigs, reels, and polkas. Counties like Clare are renowned for their concertina players, and the instrument’s sharp, clear tone makes it ideal for the fast-paced and ornamented style of Irish folk.

In England, the concertina is often used in Morris dancing and sea shanties. The English concertina’s chromatic scale and smooth transitions make it suitable for both accompaniment and solo performance. It also appears in South African Boeremusiek and certain Latin American and North American folk traditions.

Learning and Playing the Concertina

The concertina is a relatively accessible instrument for beginners, especially those who have experience with keyboard or wind instruments. The Anglo concertina is often recommended for those interested in folk music, due to its intuitive layout for common melodies. The English concertina is favored by players seeking greater melodic range and chromatic flexibility.

Learning to play involves mastering the coordination between the hands and the bellows, as well as familiarizing oneself with the specific note layout of the instrument. Many players learn by ear, especially in folk traditions, while others use standard notation or concertina tablature.

Modern Use and Revival

In recent years, the concertina has seen a revival, particularly among younger folk musicians and those exploring acoustic and roots music. Concertinas are now available in a wide range of models and prices, from affordable student instruments to high-end, handcrafted versions made by specialized luthiers.

Thanks to online tutorials, forums, and music communities, learning and sharing concertina music is easier than ever. Players from around the world can connect, collaborate, and keep this historical instrument alive and evolving.

Conclusion

The concertina is a testament to the power of compact design and cultural tradition. Its expressive voice and versatile nature have made it an enduring favorite in folk music circles across the globe. Whether you are drawn to its historical charm, its unique sound, or its role in traditional music, the concertina offers a rewarding and enriching musical journey.

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The concertina, a compact free-reed musical instrument, may be small in size, but it holds a significant place in the history of folk and traditional music across the world. With its distinctive bellows-driven sound and unique button layout, the concertina has charmed musicians and audiences alike since the 19th century. Its portability and expressive tonal range make it a favorite in a variety of genres, particularly in Irish, English, and South African folk music.

Origins and Development

The concertina was invented in the early 19th century by English physicist Sir Charles Wheatstone, who patented the design in 1829. Around the same time, German inventor Carl Friedrich Uhlig developed a similar instrument, which eventually evolved into what is now known as the German or Anglo concertina. These two styles — English and Anglo — remain the most widely used types of concertinas today, with each having distinct layouts and characteristics.

The English concertina is fully chromatic and has a consistent pattern of notes that alternate between hands, making it ideal for playing melodies and complex pieces. It was originally designed for classical and parlor music. In contrast, the Anglo concertina, which has a diatonic layout similar to a harmonica, produces different notes depending on the direction of the bellows. This push-pull system makes it particularly well-suited for rhythmic dance music and traditional folk tunes.

Structure and Mechanics

At first glance, a concertina resembles a small accordion, but its construction and play style are quite different. It typically has hexagonal ends, with buttons arranged in rows on each side. The number of buttons can vary, but most concertinas have between 20 and 48 buttons.

The sound is produced by pressing the buttons while expanding or compressing the bellows, causing air to flow over metal reeds. Each button controls a valve that directs air to a specific reed, producing a note. The bellows allow for dynamic expression, similar to how a violinist uses a bow.

Concertinas are often made with wooden or metal ends, leather bellows, and high-quality reeds. Modern instruments may also include plastic components for durability and affordability.

Role in Traditional Music

The concertina plays a central role in various folk traditions. In Ireland, it is a staple in traditional music sessions, particularly in counties like Clare. The Anglo concertina, with its bright and punchy tone, is favored for jigs, reels, and hornpipes. Its ability to quickly switch notes with a push-pull motion gives it a lively, danceable character that perfectly suits Irish traditional music.

In England, the English concertina has been used in Morris dancing and sea shanties, while in South Africa, the instrument has a long-standing place in Boeremusiek, a genre that blends European folk music with local influences. The concertina is also used in other parts of the world, including Latin America and North America, where it has been adopted into various musical traditions.

Learning and Playing

Despite its complexity, the concertina is accessible to beginners, especially those with some musical background. Its small size and relative lightness make it an excellent choice for musicians on the move. Many players start with a 20- or 30-button Anglo concertina, which is sufficient for learning traditional tunes.

Learning to play the concertina involves mastering the coordination of both hands, understanding the button layout, and developing control over the bellows for expressive playing. While reading music is helpful, many traditional players learn by ear or through tablature systems specific to the instrument.

The Concertina

In recent years, the concertina has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity, thanks in part to a growing interest in folk and roots music. Contemporary musicians are also exploring its potential in new genres, blending traditional techniques with modern compositions.

Instrument makers, both large and small, continue to produce concertinas in a range of styles and price points, from student models to handcrafted professional instruments. Online tutorials, forums, and music communities have made it easier than ever to learn and connect with other players.

In conclusion, the concertina is a versatile and expressive instrument with a rich cultural legacy. Whether you’re drawn to its historic roots or intrigued by its musical possibilities, the concertina offers a rewarding experience for musicians of all levels.

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The Telephone Historical Centre is one of America’s premier facilities of its kind. It boasts an impressive collection of working Panel and Crossbar electromechanical central office switch equipment; antique phones; outside plant displays (poles, wire and splicing tools); as well as an expansive catalogued reference library.

Archive collections hold original volumes dating back to 1877 – just a year after Alexander Graham Bell first patented his revolutionary telephone device – including The Speaking Telephone which contains detailed diagrams.

Hello Montreal!

Montreal, Canada’s jazz capital and successor to Emile Berliner’s innovations in phonography, has long been known for its vibrant rhythms of jazz music. From its glory days during Prohibition – when Sin-City was known to attract musicians – to today’s vibrant clubs that host great live jazz performances seven nights a week – Montreal has long been home to great musical offerings that can be heard here.

Hello Montreal!, an exhibition put together by Pointe-a-Calliere and Bell, provides an engaging journey through the evolution of telephony through its many forms. Additionally, this display explores some of the latest technologies on the horizon. Enjoy!

The Virtual Museum of Telecommunications

No matter your passion for telephone networks and inventions that came before them, this virtual museum provides a fascinating look into communications history. Hosted by Telecommunications History Group (THG), an independent non-profit established by retired ED TEL employees concerned that much of Canada’s telecom history was being lost as buildings were torn down or departments closed down, the THG is an unprecedented collection that brings you all this fascinating content in one convenient place.

Today, The Heritage Group includes two physical museums (Connections Museum Denver and Seattle) as well as an impressive archive. Both these resources are maintained and expanded through an innovative model of collaboration among heritage institutions; this model expands upon traditional notions of museum practice by inviting multiple parties to contribute towards its creation and curation, thus reflecting changing natures of museum practice in digital age.

The Jefferson Barracks Telephone Museum

The Jefferson Barracks Telephone Museum offers a unique collection of telephone-related artifacts. Housed in a restored 1896 building listed on the National Register of Historic Places and situated within Jefferson Barracks Park 15 minutes south of St Louis, it provides self-guided tours as well as interactive how-things-work displays designed to spark interest in engineering and history. Highlights include working central office step switches dating from 1920’s through 1960s operator switches military telephones from WWI through Gulf War service as well as novelty phones from all time periods of service history!

This year’s museum finally opened after 13 years of planning by retired phone workers from Southwestern Bell and AT&T who work under an umbrella organization known as Telecom Pioneers. Their volunteers donated their time and collected many artifacts such as crank phones running off giant dry-cell batteries or wearable leg telegraphs so they could send Morse code while hanging onto telephone poles.

The Bell Museum

On a sprawling plot of land overlooking Baddeck Bay and the Bras d’Or Lakes, visitors will discover an exquisite collection of artifacts related to Bell’s life, including: 1) His original Silver Dart hydrofoil craft which broke the world marine speed record in Baddeck Bay 1909; his walking stick and notebook; his rotary dial telephone; as well as a full scale replica of both his famous kite plane and HD-4 hydrofoil craft (both shown here).

The Museum pays its respects to generations of linemen and engineers who brought telephone service into rural and urban America, including display cases with old switchboards and glass insulators from independent telephone companies.

An extensive portion of the Archive comprises records that aren’t bound into books, such as individual printed documents (government proclamations and trade broadsides) as well as company newsletters and journals. Sheldon Hochheiser, Archivist at The Telephone Historical Centre Archives provides a brief tour through these irreplaceable collections.

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This museum in downtown Pittsburgh provides an interactive experience by showcasing how telephone technology evolved through an impressive collection of antique phones and switchboards from several retired telecom engineers’ personal collections. Now open for group tours as well as self-guided walks, this museum makes learning about telephony fun!

From Alexander Graham Bell’s wooden-framed experiment to Thomas A. Watson’s humper phone, this vibrant museum provides an educational yet entertaining journey through communications history.

Museum Hours

The Telephone Historical Centre featured an impressive collection of original telephones dating back to their invention two years earlier in 1878 – two years before Alexander Graham Bell first unveiled his Gallows Frame telephone and Thomas A. Watson’s Thumper phone, as well as being imported into Edmonton by Dominion Telegraph Agent Alexander Taylor for Dominion Telegraph Agent Alexander Taylor to use with Dominion Telegraph Agent Alexander Taylor himself! Additionally there was also a manual operator switchboard, phone booth and electromechanical central office switch with working panels and crossbars electromechanical central office switch plus outside plant equipment including poles cable splicing tools etc exhibited for visitors’ inspection and use!

Museum volunteers include former telephone operators and employees with an avid interest in passing on their knowledge of telecommunications technology to future generations. Many volunteers disassemble old phones so that visitors can see inside them and explore what components convert voice into electric current. The Museum is non-profit organization accredited with Museums Alberta.

Group Tours

Established by retired telecom employees, this museum specializes in collecting, researching, organizing, documenting and displaying telephone-related items. Group and individual tours are available.

Enjoy an immersive journey back through time at this extraordinary museum, from early switchboards to contemporary smartphones. Marvel at how far communication technology has come, while developing an appreciation for all of the clever ideas and innovations that have helped shape our world today.

The Museum features one of the largest collections of telephones in North America, dating back as far as 1878 – two years after Alexander Graham Bell first created them! Other highlights include an electric working Panel and Crossbar electromechanical central office switch; manual switchboard with step-by-step private automatic branch exchange to illustrate stepping switch principles; candlestick phones made of wood or porcelain as well as antique line insulators; outdoor plant displays including poles, cables, splicing equipment and tools; as well as an extensive reference library.

Self-Guided Tours

This museum provides visitors with hands-on experience with telephone technology. Additionally, the exhibit traces the history of Winter Park Telephone Company – making this an excellent place for family outings or school field trips.

Telecommunications History Group was created by both active and retired telecommunications employees who were concerned that historic items would be lost as buildings were demolished or departments no longer required them. THG seeks to preserve such objects for future generations.

Exhibits at the museum display various original telephones dating back to 1878 – two years after Alexander Graham Bell invented them – such as rotary models, candlestick phones, wooden wall mount phones, phone booths and Princess phones.

Other exhibits at the museum include a manual telephone switchboard, working panel and crossbar electromechanical central office switch and outside plant equipment such as poles, cable and splicing tools for outdoor plant work. Furthermore, character phones and pioneer pins from many eras are on display as well as numerous antique line insulators dating back to different centuries.

Admission

Telephone Historical Centre is an innovative museum that allows visitors to engage with its artifacts. Offering both guided tours and self-guided visits, as well as hands-on experiences with original telephones from its collection spanning just two years after the invention of telephone, it forms part of Museums for All’s program of free admission for people receiving SNAP benefits by showing an EBT card at participating museums nationwide.

The museum was established by retired ED TEL employees and opened on December 3, 1987 in Old Strathcona neighbourhood of Edmonton. Later it relocated to Prince of Wales Armouries Heritage Centre in central Edmonton where it operates under non-profit status and is accredited with Museums Alberta. Visitors will enjoy browsing its extensive collection of wooden box phones, crank phones and novelty items which take them back in time; working Panel and Crossbar electromechanical central office switch equipment and outside plant displays including poles cables splicing equipment tools as well as its cataloged Telecommunications reference library!

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