Telephone Historical Centre Collections is one of the nation’s most extensive collections of telecommunication-related equipment and should be seen by anyone interested in its history.
From wooden box phones and candlestick phones, to classic rotary phones and novelty models, there’s plenty to see and do here – perfect for family outings, school field trips or just sight-seeing adventures!
The History of Telecommunications
As with other major scientific and technical breakthroughs, numerous individuals contributed to the invention of telecommunications. One significant figure was Alexander Graham Bell who received a patent in 1876 for his device that transmitted vocal or other sounds telegraphically.
The Collection features postcards, photographs and motion pictures depicting significant events such as the construction of the first transcontinental line in 1915; inauguration of Newfoundland Microwave System in 1935; round-the-world call made by Thomas Watson with Alexander Graham Bell in the 1870s; as well as tape recordings ranging from Thomas Watson discussing their collaboration to President Nixon speaking with astronauts on the moon in 1969.
The museum operates on a shoestring budget, employing just two full-time positions and drawing support from former and current telephone company employees through volunteerism. While it could have become just another museum devoted to outdated technology of interest only to retired technicians, they have managed to attract an array of visitors.
The Telephone Collection
From rotary dial phones and old switchboards to linemen’s tools, this museum draws both retirees with an interest in telecom history and young visitors who find the clickety-clack of old equipment fascinating. Their collection spans the history of telecom technology from Alexander Graham Bell all the way up through modern smartphones.
Volunteer docents who are retired telecommunications professionals themselves provide visitors with guided tours through the museum’s telephony exhibits that feature working panel and crossbar electromechanical central office switching systems, wooden three-box wall phones, novelty phones, military telephones from WWI to the Gulf War as well as antique telecom gadgets. Other exhibits include Sarah “Sally” Rooke’s tobacco pouch that was saved by one switchboard operator during a flood, duplicate items placed in Beaver Hall building cornerstone and albums displaying stamps from around the world.
Hello Montreal!, an exhibition produced by Pointe-a-Calliere and Bell, provides an exciting and interactive exploration of communications technologies.
The Telephone Library
At times, modern communications may seem relatively simple compared to its earlier iterations, yet visitors to our museum will experience what life was like back when telephone wires and cords were everywhere. Our museum provides visitors with the chance to go back in time and witness this fascinating era through interactive exhibits and displays that showcase its history.
From our full-size magneto switchboard and last step-by-step private automatic branch exchange system to three box wall phones made here in Edmonton in 1885, our equipment display rooms offer something to entertain children and adults alike.
Our museum boasts an expansive library, filled with telephone-related books, catalogs and technical journals to aid researchers in exploring the history of communications technologies further. When time and resources permit, we provide access to original United States telephone directories – also commonly referred to as yellow pages or golden pages – when possible. To request these resources please see our Collection Guide.
The Wall Phone Collection
This museum chronicles telephone history from Alexander Graham Bell’s first phone to modern cell phones. The collection draws in both retired phone professionals and history enthusiasts.
This collection contains many early telephones leased from local phone companies by subscribers but did not own, such as wooden wall phones with magneto cranks and glass wet cell batteries commonly known as “three jug phones”.
It’s easy to see why this museum has become such a hit among both locals and tourists alike. With its charming, nostalgic setting offering a fascinating journey back through history via telephones. Be it exploring full-sized panel and crossbar electromechanical central office type switching systems or working military telephones or just browsing its large selection of different types and shapes of insulators; visitors are sure to be entertained here!
