Discover how communication technology has developed throughout history. Follow its progression from Alexander Graham Bell’s attic workshop to modern mobile telephony. This museum pays homage to those who built telephone networks by erecting poles, digging cables and designing phones over generations of men and women who helped construct networks erect poles, dig trenches or designing phones.
Our collection includes working Step-by-Step and Crossbar electromechanical central office switches; operator switchboards; antique phones; outside plant displays including poles, wire and splicing tools; as well as one of the largest telephone reference libraries in North America.
History
The museum explores both local and global telecommunications history through working step switch and crossbar electromechanical central office switching equipment, antique wooden box phones and candlestick wall phones, along with related items such as insulators, poles and wires. Furthermore, one of North America’s largest telecom reference libraries can also be found here.
Before the invention of telephones, individuals or businesses would run wires directly between locations to communicate with family, friends and business associates – these direct lines.
The telephone has become an essential element of everyday life and provides individuals and businesses with an endless range of communication possibilities. From landlines, VoIP phones and cell phones – from Alexander Graham Bell’s initial invention through modern iPhones – and has transformed how people connect. Understanding its history will allow business owners to fully leverage its potential benefits for their own use as well as adapt to its ever-evolving world of communications by taking full advantage of all available options.
Exhibits
The Telephone Historical Centre is one of North America’s premier facilities dedicated to telecom history and documentation. As an exhibition centre, its collections show how far communication technologies have advanced since Alexander Graham Bell first used wall-mounted operator-directed phones until today’s multifunctional pocket cell phones.
Attractions at this museum include working Central Office Step Switches, manual cord boards and Crossbar electromechanical central office switches; in addition to antique phone kiosks and colorful glass line insulators as well as other cataloged telecommunications references.
The museum stands as a testament to those generations of men and women who built our communications infrastructure by erecting poles, burying cables, designing technology solutions and installing telephones in homes and offices – including installing modern smartphones we all rely on today! They remind us that their skill, ingenuity, industry are behind our smartphones today.
Programs
As life is so complicated these days, having just a click away from calling mom in Philadelphia or your BFF in New York feels magical. In years gone by however, making that connection required more wires and cords.
THG honors and promotes the rich history of telecom with two museums, an artifact collection, exhibitions, programs and events that preserve and present it. Their collections encourage engineering by tapping into America’s unparalleled telephone history; while their educational programs compare modern communications technology with vintage technologies.
The Telephone Historical Centre’s education department provides outreach programs aligned with classroom standards. From Alexander Graham Bell’s original solid wood wall-mounted operator-directed phones to modern cellular phones, their Traveling Trunks program brings hands-on teaching resources directly into classrooms for educators and students who cannot visit in person; each trunk contains informational artifacts which help increase knowledge in science, social studies, and history subjects while simultaneously building up the connection with their telecommunications history.
Events
The museum collection serves to remind people of all the steps taken towards connecting people – from Alexander Graham Bell’s initial patent and invention through to modern iPhones. Crank wall phones, decorative phones and working switchboards representing one-town telephone companies from across the United States make up its collection.
This collection showcases local telecommunication history through working step switch and crossbar electromechanical central office switching equipment as well as an extensive technical library. Outside plant displays include poles and cables that demonstrate how technology has developed to serve communities.
Tom Baker, museum board director and tour guide of this love temple to the phone, notes how many people first thought it was magical when phones first hit the market. His museum stands as proof that that initial impression hasn’t dissipated over time. Housed in an old AT&T administration building in Albuquerque’s Old Town district, it offers free admission.
