Author: Morris Butler
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As the oldest telephone museum west of the Mississippi, this fascinating telecommunications facility explores technology’s evolution since Alexander Graham Bell first invented a phone to iPhones of today. Notable features of the facility include working Step-by-Step and Crossbar electromechanical central office switches; antique wooden box phones; candlestick wall phones from previous eras and one of North America’s largest reference libraries specializing in telecommunications.

History of the Telephone

From drums and smoke signals to modern cell phones, communication has long been fascinating. This museum showcases its evolution since Alexander Graham Bell’s first telephone patent was issued in 1876 to today; from working equipment from previous decades that provide tangible proof that technology continues to change our lives today.

Modern phones provide us with an unprecedented means of sharing intimate details in real time across long distances, continents and nations – often without fear of prying ears listening in. While early phones were not secure spaces in which to share intimate thoughts with strangers on a regular basis, telephone revolutionized real time communication across all these categories and beyond.

The Museum showcases many historic devices including rotary dial phones, candlestick telephones, antique line insulators and manual switchboards from decades past. There is also an expansive library full of telephone related books, catalogs and technical journals. First opened in Old Strathcona in 1987 before moving to Prince of Wales Armouries Heritage Centre in 2004, this museum now contains over 1000 telephone-related artifacts and exhibits!

Exhibits

The Telephone Historical Centre houses an expansive collection of communications technology from years gone by, from working Panel and Crossbar electromechanical central office switches, antique telephones, switchboards and outside plant equipment – it truly offers something for all telecom enthusiasts!

Telecommunications museums showcase working telecommunications equipment to highlight the iterative design processes at work in our interdependent world. They may also provide educational outreach programs and host off-site community education events for adults.

At the Juneau-Douglas City Museum in Juneau, Alaska, visitors of all ages enjoy listening to early 20th century phones at the Juneau-Douglas City Museum. Their collection from Telephone Hill neighborhood provides a lens through which residents of Juneau can consider redevelopment efforts for their community. Furthermore, the museum hosts its Traveling Trunk program to bring phone history collections directly into remote communities where it provides fascinating and often unexplored pieces of local history; making this museum one of North America’s largest telephone museums!

Guided Tours

Modern communication devices make phone calls as effortless as pulling off a magic trick; pick up your cell phone and call anyone from Philadelphia or New York instantly – this museum showcases how technology has advanced to enable it all.

It houses one of North America’s largest collections of telephones and related equipment. Established on December 3, 1987 in Old Strathcona neighbourhood and relocated in 2004 to Prince of Wales Armouries Heritage Centre for greater accessibility, this museum features working Panel and Crossbar electromechanical central office step switches; antique telephones and switchboards; outdoor plant displays including poles cables splicing equipment tools along with cataloged Telecommunication Reference Library with knowledgeable docents (current or former employees who volunteer their time) offering guided tours.

This collection stimulates curiosity about telecommunications history by offering unique models and prototypes which showcase iterative design processes, helping create our interdependent world of communication technology. Furthermore, the museum supports educators with hands-on outreach programs which make history relevant while meeting social studies learning standards.

Gift Shop

Visitors to the museum can see an intriguing collection of corded phones reminiscent of pre-cellular and wireless services era, an antique Western Electric payphone from 1928, as well as Fort Kent Telephone Co’s magneto switchboard manufactured during that era – both are sure to delight children! In addition, Leich and Western Electric wall phones specifically made for railroad workers from late 19th to early 20th centuries can also be found among this exhibit.

The Orange Historical Society operates its gift shop at the museum to sell an assortment of unique merchandise that all proceeds are used to maintain the old store building and support historical programs sponsored by this local group.

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Our museum serves as an acquisition, research, organization, documentation and exhibition center for telephone history materials. Its collections bring life back into engineering – from Alexander Graham Bell’s solid wood wall-mounted operator directed phones to modern multifunctional pocket cell phones.

Telephone Outreach Workshops combine STEM education and curiosity by teaching students to use screw drivers while exploring electrical theory through old rotary phones and stepping switches. Formative evaluation data confirms this approach works.

Museum Collections

The Museum’s extensive collection brings pivotal moments in communication history to life. Visitors will have an opportunity to see and touch revolutionary devices like Alexander Graham Bell’s gallows frame telephone and the first manual system phones imported into Edmonton; thus developing a deeper appreciation for these brilliant innovations that enable us to communicate across continents.

The Museum Collections contain working panel and crossbar electromechanical central office switch equipment, operator switchboards, outside plant displays of poles, wire and insulators and an extensive library of telephone related reference material including books, catalogs and technical journals.

The intimate setting and carefully chosen artifacts at this museum provide visitors with an engaging glimpse into human stories behind communication technology. Educational outreach programs, like Traveling Trunks Program, bring the Museum collection directly into schools and communities who cannot visit directly. Museum ambassadors welcome groups while also roaming public zones answering visitor queries or leading them towards programs or exhibitions.

Outreach Workshops

Our museum collections display working telecommunications artifacts and document local telephone industries through directories, photographs and personal narratives. These objects inspire excitement for engineering by tapping into America’s long phone history of iterative innovation – sparking intrinsic curiosity while providing the foundation for STEM education.

Our current research project was an extension of our registry program and addressed participants’ need to stay engaged dyadically during this Covid-19 pandemic. As part of its purpose, this project collected wide-ranging data regarding mental and physical health statuses, access to resources, strengths/challenges faced and recommended relevant resources.

At monthly debrief meetings, caller feedback was solicited. Three major themes emerged: seriousness of the project, communication strategies and meaningful reflections. This study contributed to existing literature as well as supporting future studies in similar settings; additionally it offered evidence for this type of outreach to serve as a useful alternative to in person group health engagement events that were cancelled during Covid-19 pandemic.

Public Tours

The museum collection represents a tangible history of communications technology that visitors can explore during guided public tours led by experienced museum educators. Visitors will gain an understanding of how communications devices have developed since Alexander Graham Bell first demonstrated them back in 1876 to what exists today.

Edmonton Telephone Historical Centre is one of North America’s largest telecommunications museums, perfect for families and school groups on field trips or simply exploring downtown Edmonton. This non-profit museum also serves as a research, documentation, exhibition and storage center for telephone history materials.

The museum is open from May to October and can be visited Tuesdays to Fridays during various hours with free parking and ADA compliant facilities easily accessible via car or bus. Tours may also be provided as staffing permits. It can be found at 1 Depot Street Warner NH 03278 with tours offered as staffing permits.

Traveling Trunks

Teachers can rent trunks for use in their classrooms. Their contents are designed to align with state and national curriculum standards, featuring easy-to-use lesson plans, museum-quality mounted images and reproductions, primary source artifacts and hands-on activities for students.

Use this travel trunk to teach your class about world holidays like Ramadan, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Christmas traditions from different cultures. It features informational DVDS, cultural books, crafts, music and traditional objects that will teach them everything they need to know.

This trunk provides an interactive way of learning about Bosnians in Bowling Green and how they have adjusted to American life. It contains books, a cura Saz (Bosnian lute), embroidered fabric samples, food recipes and items from one Bowling Green Bosnian home including coffee pots and soccer jerseys.

This educational resource explores the history and development of agriculture in Prince William County. Materials provided to grades 3-7 cover best agriculture practices discovered throughout history, erosion’s effect on soil composition and farming techniques in this region, among others.

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This collection showcases Edmonton’s rich telecom history from wooden three box wall telephones to rotary phones and beyond, and also houses functional switching equipment as well as an extensive library on telecommunications history.

The Collections were born out of an initial decision to save telephone equipment and directories that might otherwise have been thrown away, documenting generations of telecom workers who installed poles, laid cables, designed and managed technology which connects us all.

History of the Telephone

The telephone has long since overcome its early reception as an inferior form of telecommunication, becoming one of our most useful inventions. It has dramatically increased communication facilities, replacing many other forms of transmission as the preferred form.

1876: Alexander Graham Bell successfully transmits voicelike sound over an electric wire, marking the dawn of modern telecommunications history.

As early as the early 20th century, a physical style of telephone that would last was introduced. This included a carbon granule transmitter and electromagnetic receiver combined into one molded plastic handle; its coupling transformer, battery, and ringer housed in its cradle base unit. This phone was an innovation in telecommunications technology that made long-distance calling possible; its replacement came about through touch tone signaling allowing people to dial numbers faster without manually counting clicks on rotary dials – leading way towards mobile phones and their mobile internet.

Technology of the Telephone

The museum’s collection of telephone artifacts highlights the technological advancements made over the past 140 years in telecommunications. Complete with functioning equipment that shows their historical importance, this display depicts what an impactful collection it is.

Johann Philipp Reis developed the first electrical voice-transmission system in 1863 using a vibrating membrane that opened or closed an electric circuit – this innovation predated Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone invention that was patented in 1876.

Bell experimented with tuned reeds to transmit and receive not only exact pitches but more complex sounds that could be recognized as voice. He developed multiplexing to allow multiple voices to be transmitted simultaneously. Unfortunately, however, telephone technology at that point wasn’t sophisticated enough for practical communication devices; sound transmission required too much power over short distances to support it effectively; Bell’s telephony had to wait until more advanced technologies could support its expansion.

Telephone Artifacts

The museum boasts an incredible collection of telephone artifacts, from wooden wall phones and candlestick phones, classic rotary dials, operator switchboards and novelty telephones to working switching equipment and cases containing telephone wire insulators.

The collection not only fascinates those interested in telecom, but it is also a fun trip down memory lane for many visitors. They remember party line phones in kitchens, Scobie’s store phones in suburban homes, and that thrill of receiving an unexpected call from an old flame.

Our collection also houses historic Rockville Centre telephone directories, offering us a window into how communication has changed over time and its impact on the community.

Interactive Stations

The Telephone Historical Centre Collections is a museum featuring telecom artifacts ranging from old wall phones and manual switchboards, through automated switching networks and automated switching networks, to automated switching networks themselves. Furthermore, there is also an on-site library offering vintage telephone publications for research.

As opposed to many museums, this one does more than simply display technology’s evolution; rather, it invites its visitors to become actively involved with it by featuring interactive stations where people can experiment operating early telephones and switches.

Modern phone calling may seem magical, but its origins weren’t always this easy. This museum provides a window into past where cords and wires were everywhere – including operator switchboards, test equipment for aerial wire and lineman tools for pole erection.

The Telecom Historical Centre in Gridley, Illinois is a truly amazing independent telecom museum which can be visited free with volunteer support. Their collection of antique telecom equipment spans from operator switchboards and linemen’s tools to replicas of Alexander Graham Bell’s original phone!

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People throughout history have made numerous advancements in communication technology, such as Samuel Morse’s invention of the telegraph in 1843 and Alexander Graham Bell’s patenting of his phone in 1876.

The Museum houses a functional central office switch (Panel and Crossbar electromechanical switching), antique phones, outdoor plant displays complete with poles cables tools and research archives related to communications – making it one of the largest museums of its kind.

Museum of Telephony

The Museum of Telephony is part of the Telephone Historical Centre and features artifacts dating from early switchboards to smartphones. This impressive collection stands as testament to Alderic O. “Dick” Violette and Garry Mitchell as industry veterans as well as members of Violette & Bartlett families in Woodbury Connecticut who contributed their time.

This museum houses historical documents, an operational Number 5 crossbar switch and mechanical tone plant as well as other equipment – it is the only museum of its kind in North America.

This interactive museum provides visitors of all ages the opportunity to gain an in-depth knowledge of how our wired network functions, from historical phones and switches, to those responsible for its construction and upkeep. Their archives feature photos of Edmonton’s telephone pioneers as well as oral histories with former phone company employees.

AT&T Archives and History Center

AT&T Archives and History Center can be found 30 miles outside Manhattan in Somerset County. Their collections showcase over 100 years of telecommunications history ranging from an antique Western Electric washing machine to an accurate three-quarter scale model of Telstar 1 satellite.

As one can see among these objects lies many stories to be told: the invention of the transistor and telegraph; inauguration of the first television station; live phone call between President Richard Nixon and Apollo 11 astronauts – just a few to name.

Reporting directly to AT&T’s Corporate Archivist, this role will perform various archival functions at their largest collection: processing, cataloguing and digitization workflows; as well as safeguarding historic resources. She/he will assist with research requests from AT&T business units as well as outside scholars, authors and documentarians as well as support preservation activities at the 40,000 sq ft archives facility, monitor environmental conditions and respond in emergency situations.

Telecommunications History Group

Communication innovation has long been at the heart of human advancement. From prehistoric man and his smoke signals to today’s smartphone-wielding high-powered executives, communication innovation has steadily advanced over time.

In 1990, retired telecom employees realized that historical items were being lost or thrown away as buildings closed or downsized, departments shrunk and people moved on from telecom. THG now runs two museums and an extensive archive to preserve these artifacts for posterity.

Connections Museum Denver and Connections Museum Seattle each boast extensive collections of central office and outside plant equipment. In Denver, THG Archives also house an extensive archive of telephone-related materials and photographs dedicated to connecting the history of telecom with changing technologies and cultures.

Virtual Museum of Telecommunications

The Virtual Museum of Telecommunications is an online museum designed to make the collections and stories surrounding telecommunications accessible to everyone. The exhibits featured within this museum provide viewers with a personalized experience; discover how one mother used smoke signals to save her son from an attack in New Mexico or witness first-hand how one telephone operator braved a flood while staying at her switchboard despite all odds!

The THG Archives Museum serves to preserve and make accessible the history of telecommunications. Additionally, this resource offers teaching and research capabilities and features online exhibitions which present assets, processes and successes of this industry.

Its collection is one of the largest in North America, featuring wooden box phones and candlestick phones made of wood or other materials; fully functional Panel and Crossbar electromechanical central office switches; as well as antique telephones curated by both active and retired Bell System employees. It is managed by both active and retired Bell employees.

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Established on December 3, 1987 and later relocated to Prince of Wales Armouries Heritage Centre for accessibility purposes, this hands-on museum provides an enjoyable way to learn the history of communications technology. It features working Panel and Crossbar electromechanical central office switches as well as antique phones, operator switchboards, outside plant displays such as poles cables and splicing equipment and displays dedicated solely to outside plant displays.

Guided Tours

Roseville, California-based museum managed by retired telecom employees boasts one of the largest collections of antique telephone equipment in North America. Exhibits showcase how communications technology has developed over time; working central office switch equipment from Panel and Crossbar Electromechanical Central Office Switch Equipment Manufacturers such as antique telephones, operator switchboards, outside plant displays including pole wire splicing tools as well as an extensive cataloged telecommunications reference library can all be found here.

This wheelchair accessible museum showcases over 100 years of communication history, from wooden wall phones and rotary dialers to sleek cell phones of today.

Telecom Pioneers (a non-profit 501(c)(3) employee service organization) have restored this facility, making guided tours available for groups of 10 or more. An ideal place for family outings or as an addition to sight-seeing tours!

Museum Store

The Museum Store is an extraordinary world-class source of gifts, memorabilia and publications designed to enhance visitor experiences at the Museum. Here they can expand their learning beyond its walls with educational books and kits; purchase mementos of their favorite exhibits; or bring home entertaining puzzles, cuddly stuffed animals and iconic museum apparel and memorabilia as souvenirs from their visit.

Roseville Museum provides an interactive window into the history of communication technology. Housed within an old phone building, it offers visitors a glimpse into this field’s past and presents one of North America’s largest collections of antique telephones and equipment from North American manufacturers like Bell System employees (both active and retired). Also featured here are working Panel and Crossbar Electromechanical Central Office Switches as well as antique phones. Outdoor Plant displays with poles, cables, tools as well as an extensive reference library complete the experience.

Non-profit organization funded through membership dues and research fees, the Telecommunications History Archives maintains and operates one of the largest privately held telecommunications archives in America and conducts educational programs to preserve its heritage.

Education Programs

The museum provides an acquisition, research, organization, documentation exhibition and storage center dedicated to telephone history materials. It houses working Panel and Crossbar electromechanical central office switches; antique telephones and switchboards; outside plant displays with poles cables and splicing tools; as well as cataloged telecom reference libraries available to researchers.

The museum exhibits chronicle one hundred years of communication technology development locally and worldwide, from Alexander Graham Bell’s attic workshop through wireless technologies used today. Ranging from wooden wall phones and dialers to manual operator switchboards, step-by-step private automatic branch exchanges and candlestick telephones – its extensive collection represents one of the largest communication antique collections in North America.

The Museum offers New York City public school students in grades 3-12 the opportunity to engage with telephone-related objects and stories with an educator from the Museum at their schools. Lessons aim to expand cultural knowledge, foster respect for artistic culture and develop critical thinking skills – lasting anywhere between one hour to two hours depending on your school’s schedule.

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer opportunities at Green-Wood Museum abound! Volunteering is an engaging way to get to know Green-Wood better while discovering its history, with opportunities spanning Archives & Historical Collections, Museums, Friendly Visitors (a multidisciplinary healthcare team approach that addresses social & cognitive needs of older adults through activities like guided conversation techniques, simple activities & companionship) being just some examples of opportunities we offer our volunteers. Click here for more details & applications are now being accepted for 2018-2019 volunteer year (please indicate which area(s of interest when applying). We welcome applications & look forward to welcoming our volunteers!

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