Established on December 3, 1987 and later relocated to Prince of Wales Armouries Heritage Centre for accessibility purposes, this hands-on museum provides an enjoyable way to learn the history of communications technology. It features working Panel and Crossbar electromechanical central office switches as well as antique phones, operator switchboards, outside plant displays such as poles cables and splicing equipment and displays dedicated solely to outside plant displays.
Guided Tours
Roseville, California-based museum managed by retired telecom employees boasts one of the largest collections of antique telephone equipment in North America. Exhibits showcase how communications technology has developed over time; working central office switch equipment from Panel and Crossbar Electromechanical Central Office Switch Equipment Manufacturers such as antique telephones, operator switchboards, outside plant displays including pole wire splicing tools as well as an extensive cataloged telecommunications reference library can all be found here.
This wheelchair accessible museum showcases over 100 years of communication history, from wooden wall phones and rotary dialers to sleek cell phones of today.
Telecom Pioneers (a non-profit 501(c)(3) employee service organization) have restored this facility, making guided tours available for groups of 10 or more. An ideal place for family outings or as an addition to sight-seeing tours!
Museum Store
The Museum Store is an extraordinary world-class source of gifts, memorabilia and publications designed to enhance visitor experiences at the Museum. Here they can expand their learning beyond its walls with educational books and kits; purchase mementos of their favorite exhibits; or bring home entertaining puzzles, cuddly stuffed animals and iconic museum apparel and memorabilia as souvenirs from their visit.
Roseville Museum provides an interactive window into the history of communication technology. Housed within an old phone building, it offers visitors a glimpse into this field’s past and presents one of North America’s largest collections of antique telephones and equipment from North American manufacturers like Bell System employees (both active and retired). Also featured here are working Panel and Crossbar Electromechanical Central Office Switches as well as antique phones. Outdoor Plant displays with poles, cables, tools as well as an extensive reference library complete the experience.
Non-profit organization funded through membership dues and research fees, the Telecommunications History Archives maintains and operates one of the largest privately held telecommunications archives in America and conducts educational programs to preserve its heritage.
Education Programs
The museum provides an acquisition, research, organization, documentation exhibition and storage center dedicated to telephone history materials. It houses working Panel and Crossbar electromechanical central office switches; antique telephones and switchboards; outside plant displays with poles cables and splicing tools; as well as cataloged telecom reference libraries available to researchers.
The museum exhibits chronicle one hundred years of communication technology development locally and worldwide, from Alexander Graham Bell’s attic workshop through wireless technologies used today. Ranging from wooden wall phones and dialers to manual operator switchboards, step-by-step private automatic branch exchanges and candlestick telephones – its extensive collection represents one of the largest communication antique collections in North America.
The Museum offers New York City public school students in grades 3-12 the opportunity to engage with telephone-related objects and stories with an educator from the Museum at their schools. Lessons aim to expand cultural knowledge, foster respect for artistic culture and develop critical thinking skills – lasting anywhere between one hour to two hours depending on your school’s schedule.
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer opportunities at Green-Wood Museum abound! Volunteering is an engaging way to get to know Green-Wood better while discovering its history, with opportunities spanning Archives & Historical Collections, Museums, Friendly Visitors (a multidisciplinary healthcare team approach that addresses social & cognitive needs of older adults through activities like guided conversation techniques, simple activities & companionship) being just some examples of opportunities we offer our volunteers. Click here for more details & applications are now being accepted for 2018-2019 volunteer year (please indicate which area(s of interest when applying). We welcome applications & look forward to welcoming our volunteers!
