No matter your age or background, this museum provides something for everyone – be it retirees looking to appreciate antique telecom equipment or younger learners seeking more insight into communications technology. With an impressive collection of vintage directories and research documents; working panel and crossbar electromechanical central office switches; outside plant displays with poles, wire, splicing equipment as well as an expansive cataloged reference library – there is something here for all who visit!
History
Alexander Graham Bell’s invention of the telephone in 1876 revolutionized communication technology worldwide. Today’s smartphones represent one aspect of this revolutionary communication platform that evolved from his original gallows frame phone into the worldwide network that allows instantaneous dialogue.
The museum provides visitors with a journey through generations of telephone innovation, from crank phones and touch dials to manual switchboards from the 1900s. Ringers may wish to utilize an old “talk battery” system which allowed them to stay in contact with shops, suppliers and friends by connecting three or four telephone pairs together in pairs.
This captivating telecommunications museum attracts both retirees and young people, who appreciate antique telecom equipment, as well as curious younger visitors who wish to gain knowledge on how these important innovations were developed. The facility includes an operational panel-and crossbar electromechanical central office switch as well as outdoor displays of poles, wires and splicing equipment as well as an extensive cataloged reference library as well as one of Canada’s largest collections of phone artifacts.
Exhibits
Communication has become an indispensable aspect of daily life, and this special museum explores its development. Ranging from wooden crank wall phones to pocket-size touch screen cellular phones, this collection demonstrates human ingenuity that has gone into creating this technology.
This unique museum provides more than just a display of telephone equipment and antique phones; it provides an interactive experience for visitors. They can put themselves through their paces operating a manual switchboard or try their luck using classic rotary dial phones. Furthermore, workshops on telecom topics as well as educational programs like the Traveling Trunks Program are hosted here.
This museum houses one of North America’s finest collections of antique phones and switchboards. Among its highlights are working Panel and Crossbar electromechanical central office switches; operator switchboards; candlestick wall phones, classic rotary telephones and an extensive cataloged telecom reference library. Furthermore, outdoor plant displays showcasing poles, cables and splicing equipment make this museum a must visit for history buffs or anyone curious to understand how telephone invention has altered our world.
Traveling Trunks
The traveling trunks of the museum provide access to their extensive collection directly into schools and community organizations, showcasing artifacts, books, hands-on activities with lesson plans that meet state social studies requirements.
This museum is one of the largest in North America and showcases telecom history through interactive exhibits such as vintage rotary dial telephones, touch telegraph keys from Bell’s initial telecom system and see tools used by linemen such as copper cabling and manhole covers.
The museum also places great importance on environmental stewardship, featuring rooftop solar panels for energy generation. Guided tours are available and the facility meets ADA-compliant standards.
Admission
As instant communication has become a daily reality, this unique museum presents the history and development of telephones through their collection. These include antique phones, working electromechanical central office switches (panel and crossbar electromechanical), operator switchboards as well as outside plant displays such as poles, wires insulators and splicing equipment as well as an extensive cataloged reference library. Furthermore, educational outreach programs like Traveling Trunks provide direct access to historic artifacts for classroom visits.
From wooden wall mounted hand cranking phones to modern pocket-size touch screen mobile phones, every piece of telecom history tells its own fascinating tale of innovation and technology. This one-of-a-kind museum provides the ideal family or group sightseeing tour destination. Founded by retired ED TEL employees in 1987 and still the sole telecommunications museum in Canada today. Situated at Prince of Wales Armouries Heritage Centre in Edmonton Alberta for easy self guided visits that enable visitors to interact with artifacts on display within its halls, this museum provides visitors with opportunities for exploration at their own pace while engaging with its artifacts on display.
