At first, when telephones first entered homes, privacy became an issue. Eavesdroppers could listen in on conversations and switchboard operators often invaded private spaces to connect callers.
Established by retired employees of ED TEL, the Telephone Historical Centre opened in 1987. It houses an expansive collection of antique telecom equipment spanning centuries past – such as Alexander Graham Bell’s Gallows Frame Telephone and Thomas Watson’s Thumper Phone by way of examples.
History of the Telephone
At the time Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas Watson first performed their famous telephone conversation, the world was just beginning to experience its transformative effects over long distances. Many predicted it would revolutionize our lives, providing unparalleled convenience as well as business benefits.
Early phones differed significantly from what we use today, requiring a ringer box, battery, handset (which was separated into receiver and transmitter functions) as well as a magneto hand crank that provided power to power its transmitter.
Bakelite was an early plastic that was easier to mold than metal and quickly became popular material for handsets, taking on distinct shapes as they developed from cord connections and rotary dials to integrated microphones and receivers. At The Telephone Historical Centre guests can explore an impressive collection of antique phones and switchboards while perusing an extensive research archive comprising microfilm copies of early directories as well as at-risk scrapbooks and binders for further study.
The Alexander Graham Bell Collection
The Bell Collection includes materials that document Alexander Graham Bell’s life and varied interests, including correspondence and notebooks that cover topics including his telephone use, scientific research, deaf education and deaf culture.
Bell was preoccupied in the years leading up to the grant of his telephone patent with improving harmonic telegraphy – a device which enabled multiple messages to be transmitted simultaneously over wires – as well as working on his phonograph, which allowed sound recordings and playback.
There have been numerous portraits printed of Bell over time, yet recently interest in one dating back to 1876 has grown rapidly. Patrick Feaster created this cabinet card based on that image which now resides in the public domain; click to view a larger version.
The Centre’s Collections
The Centre boasts an extensive collection of antique telephones and telecommunication equipment dating from Alexander Graham Bell’s Gallows Frame and Thomas Watson’s Thumper Phone to modern wireless technology. Displays range from working central office step switches and operator switchboards, wooden box phones, candlestick wall phones with classic rotary dial dial phones as well as novelty telephones – not forgetting an expansive research archive with microfilm copies of early directories as well as at-risk scrapbooks and binders!
Museums use their collections to bring history and technology alive for visitors, through engaging experiences like operating a switchboard or trying out rotary phones, as well as including historical context in exhibitions.
Museums depend on volunteers to maintain and expand their collections, with many possessing technical know-how as well as life experience that ensures museum collections remain relevant for today’s audiences.
Volunteer Opportunities
Retired linemen and switchboard technicians bring years of practical experience and institutional memory to Museum guided tours – helping visitors understand complex electromechanical technology more easily. Museums serve as research, acquisition, organization and documentation centers for global communications technology innovation – from Alexander Graham Bell’s solid wood wall-mounted operator directed phones to today’s sleek mobile pocket cell phones.
Our Education Docent program offers immersive educational experiences to school children, teachers and adults that align with curriculum standards. Volunteers participating in this role proactively greet visitors, answer any inquiries and provide information regarding Museum exhibitions and programs.
Gift Shop volunteers ensure a quality shopping experience for Museum visitors by improving merchandise selection, creating attractive displays, and helping with sales. This role resides both inside the Museum and outdoors on Memorial plaza; spaces may be limited due to organizational needs. Training will be provided upon application. Apply now for inclusion on a waitlist; for inquiries on joining our team contact the Volunteer Manager.
