The Telephone Museum boasts an amazing collection of communications technology from years gone by. Take a spin around our working switching station or learn about Winter Park Telephone Company’s roots in Maitland; there’s something here for everyone.

Exhibits at this museum include an electromechanical Panel and Crossbar Central Office Switch as well as a working Step-by-Step Automatic Branch Exchange; plus antique telephones and hundreds of pieces of related equipment.

General Admission

This museum can be found at Jefferson Barracks Historic Park and features an extensive collection of telephones and associated equipment and memorabilia. Visitors to this self-guided museum will find numerous educational displays to learn more about its rich history.

Telephones have become an indispensable component of modern life, yet few realize how profoundly their creation by Alexander Graham Bell revolutionized world history. At this museum we explore its transformation from its wooden walls, operator-directed designs to today’s pocket sized cell phones used every day.

Archival holdings at the museum include an impressive collection of Edmonton telephone directories and technical manuals dating back to the 1800s, in addition to an electromechanical central office switch and working Panel and Crossbar switch from 1900. Furthermore, an antique phone booth as well as outdoor plant displays featuring poles, cables, splicing equipment and tools as well as numerous telephone-related artifacts can also be found there. Ultimately, its mission is to acquire, research, organize, document, display and archive historical items related to telecommunications – something it does impressively well.

Special Events

At Jefferson Barracks Park, this self-guided museum boasts an extensive collection of telephones and equipment as well as various hands-on exhibits that demonstrate “how things work”. There are also operator switchboards, military telephones dating from WWI through Gulf War as well as hundreds of pieces of equipment and tools – not to mention novelty phones from novelty phone manufacturers and statues honoring Alexander Graham Bell all part of this unique experience!

The Edmonton Telephone Historical Centre was a non-profit organization created to collect, research, organize, document, exhibit and store historical materials related to telecom in Edmonton. Established on December 3rd 1987 and moving into its current home at Prince of Wales Armouries Heritage Centre in 2004 for group tours or individual visits, its museum features both group tours as well as individual ones; learning center that illustrates communications principles a multi-media Historical Telecommunications Theatre Show as well as a Resource Centre which contains an archive of over one century’s worth of telephone directories & technical manuals dating back as well.

Video Visits

Securus Technologies provides inmates with a remote video visitation system to communicate with friends and family using high speed internet, microphone and speakers on a computer. Before purchasing sessions on this site, visitors should ensure their device meets minimum system requirements to ensure optimal experience.

Cell phones are not permitted for either on-site or remote video visits at our facilities, nor may visitors use them to take photographs or videos of inmates, which could result in their visit being terminated immediately. Visitors must remain seated during all aspects of the visit.

Individuals in custody housed in General Population, Restricted Housing or Health Care Unit are allowed seven scheduled video visits each calendar month with approved Confidential Visitors approved by a Corrections Officer to have video visits with an inmate. Clothing which exposes any body part such as cleavage, back, midriff or anything similar will not be permitted during visits with inmates.

Parking

Prince of Wales Armouries Heritage Centre provides plenty of parking in their lot – free of charge.

The Telephone Historical Centre in Edmonton, Alberta, was founded by retired employees of Edmonton D TEL in 1987 to preserve its history of telecommmunications in Edmonton and area. Opening on December 3, 1987 in Old Strathcona’s former telephone exchange building; then later moving to its current location at Prince of Wales Armouries on April 10, 2004 as an accredited member of Museums Alberta with hands-on exhibits as well as offering its historical Telecommunication Theatre Show for groups and individuals alike.

Explore how communication technology has developed over time with this fascinating collection. Various hands-on displays help both children and adults to understand how this vital innovation has progressed over time.

After Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone, its invention revolutionized society. This museum in North America tells that story through historic photos and news articles as well as displays such as an early ED TEL private automatic branch exchange system to mobile phones – perfect for students, researchers, and history lovers of all ages!

Historical Background

Explore communication technology, telephones and related equipment through time at this interactive museum. Follow Alexander Graham Bell’s invention in 1876 all the way up to today’s mobile phones in your pocket!

One of the pioneering museums in the nation, this museum is supported by membership dues, research fees and grants. It boasts an outstanding collection of telephones and memorabilia alongside an outstanding library with books related to telecom systems as well as catalogs and technical journals.

The Museum was established by a group of retired and active telecommunication employees concerned that historical items were being lost due to buildings closing or downsizing or simply because their use no longer made sense. A collection was formed and THG soon emerged as a non-profit with two museums and an excellent archive housed within Denver, Colorado; as well as being host for several telephone-related exhibitions and activities as part of its programming. THG now belongs to the Smithsonian Institution as an affiliate member.

Exhibits

The Telephone Historical Centre boasts an expansive collection of antique telephone artifacts that tell the tale of Edmonton’s telecommunications history. As North America’s largest collection, visitors can see these artifacts close-up and interact with them through hands-on exhibits like working switching equipment.

Touch and try out an antique rotary dial telephone; play with the telegraph keys that formed Bell’s initial telecom system; view tools of linemen’s trade such as copper cabling, manhole covers and telephone insulators; complete this interactive experience by viewing an impressive collection of global telecom artifacts!

From Motorola’s initial foray into global telecommunications markets to the antennas and fiber-optic cables used by cellphone towers, this exhibition explores how communications technology continues to have a dramatic impact on our lives. Visitors will be encouraged to consider how cellphones have altered how we connect to each other, our communities, and the environment.

Contact Us

The Telephone Historical Centre was established as a non-profit society in 1987 with the mission of collecting, researching, archiving and exhibiting materials related to telecommunication history. Accredited members of Museums Alberta, it houses one of North America’s largest telephone collections dating back to 1878 as an invaluable resource. Also featured at this museum is an amazing multi-media Historical Telecommunications Theatre Show that will make any visit truly enjoyable!

Hands-on exhibits from Alexander Graham Bell’s Gallows Frame Telephone to Thomas A Watson’s Thumper Phone demonstrate communications principles as well as changes in telephone technology. Other displays include manual telephone switchboard, Step-by-Step private automatic branch exchange (demonstrating the stepping switch principle), mobile phone exhibit demonstrating its evolution from 1980’s car phones to modern cell phones and an exciting telephone workshop that promotes electrical theory and engineering by drawing upon America’s rich telephone heritage to inspire tomorrow’s inventors and innovators.

Established by a group of retired telecom workers, this museum features an operational Panel and Crossbar electromechanical central-office switch as well as an operator switchboard, outside plant displays including poles, cables, splicing equipment and tools, poles of telephone-related items from its collection and hundreds of items related to phone use over time from wooden wall-mounted devices in the past to sleek cellular phones today. Visitors can see firsthand how far phone technology has progressed since solid wood wall-mounted phones with operator controls were first used!

Self-Guided Tours

The museum’s extensive collection documents over 100 years of telephone technology. Beginning with its first solid wooden, wall-mounted hand crank telephone to today’s pocket-sized touch screen cellular phones, its displays reflect how this revolutionary invention revolutionized our lives.

Our educational exhibits are created to spark the minds of people of all ages. They aim to foster curiosity in people that inspired Alexander Graham Bell’s groundbreaking invention while driving innovation that continues to advance telecommunications technology forward.

Roseville Telephone Museum offers an ideal venue for family outings, school field trips and group sight-seeing tours. Our docents are current and former ED TEL employees who love sharing the history of telephone with visitors. Furthermore, our mobile tour app makes exploring our museum easy at your own pace!

Group Tours

Telephones have become such an integral part of daily life that it is easy to forget their revolutionary nature just a century ago. At this museum you’ll gain a fascinating look into this remarkable invention’s history as well as those who created it.

Discover antique telephones, manual switchboards, the original phone booths, a working panel and crossbar electromechanical central office switch, as well as telephone-related tools and displays of Step-by-Step private automatic branch exchange (demonstrating its stepping switch principle), plus an outside plant exhibit including poles, cable, splicing equipment and other tools.

Group tours provide an excellent way for groups of ten or more to experience the museum and can save money by being booked four weeks in advance.

Special Events

A museum situated in an historic building offers an amazing collection of telephones, equipment and memorabilia for you to enjoy during a fun family outing, school field trip or group sightseeing tour experience.

The Museum is comprised of one-level exhibits with wheelchair access. These include an operator switchboard, military telephones from World War I through Gulf War, novelty phones in various shapes and sizes as well as a phone pole complete with climbing equipment – not to mention tons of memorabilia related to telephone use!

The Telecommunications History Group is a non-profit, 501(c) (3) organization founded in 1990 by both active and retired telecommunications employees who were appalled to see historic items being lost as buildings were demolished or departments no longer required them. THG strives to preserve this history for future generations.

Contact Us

The Telephone Historical Centre in Edmonton is dedicated to collecting, organizing, documenting, exhibiting and storing material related to the history of telecommunications in Edmonton. Established on December 3rd 1987 in Old Strathcona neighbourhood and later relocated to Prince of Wales Armouries location by 2004 for improved accessibility it operates under non-profit charitable organization with accreditation by Museums Alberta providing hands on exhibits that highlight communications principles as well as an extraordinary multi-media historical Telecommunication Theatre Show experience for visitors.

The facility houses an outstanding collection of working switching equipment, which makes for a wonderful attraction for visitors of all ages. One of the largest facilities of its type in North America, it remains an all-ages attraction despite having been established 31 years prior. However, due to relevancy concerns and financial issues related to building costs as a foundation’s motives for closing after 31 years in Edmonton.

Fun museum that houses an engaging collection of phones and equipment. Excellent way to educate children while having some family fun!

Long before cell phones or rotary dials existed, there was the operator. She held her ground despite nerve-jangling handsets; these days have passed, yet Houston’s telephone museum has managed to preserve a delightful collection of granny-era technology with remarkable ingenuity.

The History of the Telephone

The telephone is an incredible invention that encompasses numerous features and functions. Its history is an intricate weave of incidents and narratives that have interacted in unexpected ways; from Alexander Graham Bell’s initial message to Mr Watson all the way through to modern cell phones’ caller ID function – taking a look back at its development tells an amazing tale.

In the late 1700s, several inventors began exploring the concept of an electronic telephone. Italian inventor Antonio Meucci created a prototype based on pipe-telephones used on ships; Samuel B. Morse devised an approach for transmitting messages using pressing and releasing patterns of keys (now commonly referred to as Morse code).

Alexander Graham Bell invented and patented the phone in 1876. It worked by converting soundwaves into electricity and vice versa, and allowed human speech transmission electronically for the first time. Although Bell supposedly beat out Elisha Gray for this patent, some allege he stole its technology instead.

The History of the Bell System

Generation Z often struggles to envision life before mobile phones; however, this exhibition explores how the Bell System revolutionized communications with features like rotary dialing, long distance calling and Wireless Area Network service (WATS).

This exhibit addresses Ma Bell’s many critics over time, from comedians like Joan Rivers to consumer activists like Ralph Nader. Additionally, it illustrates how their initial rate-setting policies became their Achilles heel over time.

The exhibition includes several in-person and virtual events, such as a Zoom program on March 20, all related to Lawrenceville’s Pole Farm – once the largest radio phone station before undersea cable took over that role – as well as stock certificates from seven regional Bell operating companies that resulted from AT&T’s breakup, some of which have since grown into telecom titans like Verizon or even AT&T itself.

The History of the Bell Telephone Company

Telephone was one of the greatest innovations of modern history. Alexander Graham Bell successfully patented his invention in 1876 and created an electronic transmitter and receiver which transmitted variations in electric currents similar to human speech.

After his research was complete, Bell and Gardiner Greene Hubbard established the Bell Telephone Company in July 1877 to commercialize it. Bell served as its technical adviser until sometime during the early 1880s when his interest faded in telephony.

Initial Bell telephone companies dominated their markets and funded local service with business revenues. By the 1970s however, this monopoly came under attack from competitors with new technology as well as from the United States Department of Justice, who filed an antitrust suit against AT&T in 1974. Subsequently AT&T divested local operating companies while keeping long-distance and manufacturing arms; at which point AT&T divested locally-operating companies but retained long-distance and manufacturing arms; additionally AT&T acquired manufacturing arms for long distance operations as well. AT&T divested local operating companies but retained long distance and manufacturing operations; long distance operations; manufacturing arms; finally mobile telephone exhibits that show how this industry has developed over time from 1980s car phones to today’s cellular devices; finally AT&T became one of America’s dominant telephony providers by adopting technology developed from 1980s car phones through to today’s cellular devices! The museum features operator switchboards as well as exhibits covering its evolution from 1980s car phones through today’s mobile phones!

The History of the Bell Telephone Network

The telephone revolutionized communications by eliminating the need for third parties to relay messages between people. Prior to its invention, communication required long distance travel via horse and carriage, train or steamboat telegraph.

The Bell System enjoyed an almost-monopolistic status until 1894, when some of its patents expired. Sociologist Claude Fischer writes that following that event, Bell employed various tactics “both legal and otherwise to limit competition.” Claude cites them using their long distance lines monopoly to pursue patent suit, buy competitors out or control vendors of telephone equipment as possible methods.

Bell introduced numerous innovations during its early 1900s reign, such as its carrier system that allowed for multiple conversations to use one pair of wires at the same time – like modern multiplexing systems it made three minute calls from Montreal to Sherbrooke, Ottawa or Trois Rivieres less than C$75 and expanded overseas through wireless radio technology. Furthermore, The Bell System remained consolidated until being divided up into eight companies in 1984.

The Telephone Historical Centre has shut its doors after 31 years in Edmonton, with the museum’s foundation voting to dissolve due to relevancy and financial issues.

Sheldon Hochheiser, the museum’s archivist, discusses some of its unique aspects. He describes their strengths and quirks.

Collections

The collections held by the Telephone Historical Centre are exceptionally varied. Their archives contain vintage phone directories, technical manuals and books related to telecommunication technology and history; as well as operator switchboards from 1920s and 1960s; mobile telephones dating from 1980s car phones through current cell phones.

The archive’s earliest volumes date from 1877, one year after Alexander Graham Bell first patenting his revolutionary telephone device. One such volume titled The Speaking Telephone provides detailed diagrams and explanations on its operation.

Rogers Kaufman began collecting artifacts, records and other memorabilia left by previous owners at Gridley Telephone Company when he retired and used these to form what is now the Telephone Museum of Gridley. Open houses and customer appreciation events allowed visitors to view this ever-evolving museum that continues to thrive with help from Rogers Kaufman’s family and volunteers; eventually a building was constructed at Main and Main Street to house this growing collection.

Exhibits

Today we take our phones for granted; but back in 1885 they were cutting edge technology. The museum showcased antique telephone artifacts as well as hands-on exhibits featuring telecom technology. Furthermore, tours could be booked for groups or individuals.

The Archives house an impressive collection of historic telephone directories covering 14 states as well as photographs and slides. Books on telecommunications history and technology also line their shelves.

Series VII, Material Produced by SNET (1878-1998) is organized alphabetically and contains newspaper clippings bound into scrapbooks as well as brochures, pamphlets, and booklets produced by SNET. Furthermore, there are large binders filled with samples of Yellow Pages advertisements from 1972 to 1980.

Education Programs

The National Historical Publications and Records Commission encourages projects that foster collaborations between archivists, educators, historians (including documentary editors), community-based archives staff and volunteer “citizen archivists.” Specifically they encourage projects which enable members of the public to contribute metadata tags, transcribe annotate or enhance digitized historical records.

Edmonton’s Telephone Historical Centre provided students and others interested in Alberta telecommunications history with access to educational material on this topic. However, due to relevance issues, financial constraints, and structural challenges it decided to close after 31 years of operation.

Explore telecommunications through virtual exhibits and digital collections. Discover Alberta’s Telephone Era with all its successes, politics, competitions, equipment and companies.

Events

The Jefferson Barracks Telephone Museum is an unforgettable experience that speaks to visitors of all ages. Visitors are able to relive memories from party lines or three-way calling, or discover cordless phones as newfound freedoms – as well as exploring technology and history through hands-on experiences that demonstrate its relevance for future generations.

Discover the story of wired telephone networks, their predecessor inventions and those involved in creating them as you uncover its history. From old-fashioned operator switchboards to wall-mounted magneto phones and electromechanical marvels that paved the way for today’s electronic devices – this collection provides insight into communications history. In Alberta’s case specifically, this section also highlights achievements, politics, competitions equipment and personalities from an early period after fur trade ended; providing visitors with a virtual telephone heritage experience through virtual exhibits, digital collections and educational interactives.