The Telephone Historical Centre houses one of the world’s premier collections of antique phones and equipment. This museum explores and commemorates over 100 years of communications technology advancement – both locally and nationally.
The museum is open for tours. It boasts working Panel and Crossbar electromechanical central office step switches; antique telephones; switchboards; outdoor plant displays featuring poles cables splicing tools and equipment, cataloged telecom reference libraries – perfect for family adventures, school field trips or group sightseeing tours! It makes an enjoyable stop.
Edmonton Telephone Historical Centre
The Edmonton Telephone Historical Centre is a museum that celebrates the history of telephone communication. Featuring antique telephones and switchboards from times gone by as well as educational exhibits, this attraction makes a wonderful family adventure or school field trip destination.
Established by a group of retired ED TEL employees, the museum first opened on December 3, 1987 in Old Strathcona before moving two years later for greater accessibility to Prince of Wales Armouries Heritage Centre. The collection dates back to 1878 with devices like Alexander Graham Bell’s Gallows frame phone and Thomas A. Watson’s Thumper phone among many others – plus Alexander Taylor’s Dominion Telegraph Agent phone as its highlight!
The museum’s exhibits illustrate the development of communications technology from its infancy in Alexander Graham Bell’s attic workshop to present day mobile phones, featuring working Panel and Crossbar electromechanical central office switches, antique phones with operator switches, antique phones from Alexander Graham Bell himself as well as outdoor plant displays with poles, cables and splicing equipment.
