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.
