Students, researchers, or those simply curious can discover Edmonton’s telephone history at this unique archive. Here you will find vintage phone directories; technical manuals dating back to the 1800s; books about telecom technology and history as well as vintage telephone directories from around the country. *Sadly, The Telephone Historical Centre closed on April 28, 2019. The foundation behind it cited relevancy issues as well as financial concerns as being reasons for its decision to close.
Collections
This collection comprises an eclectic array of artifacts, such as equipment, employee awards and commemorative materials. Additionally, framed artwork and scrapbooks are present; in particular, the Historical Oversized Fragile Restricted subseries holds larger photographs and scrapbooks which require special handling.
The collection contains many vintage telephone directories dating from 1895 to present day*, technical manuals and books on telecom technology and history, plus periodicals and newspapers related to telephone technology; plus miscellaneous items dating back as far as 1956 such as phone book covers or notice of number changes.
Series VII: Publications (1878-1998) is organized alphabetically and contains several subseries. One, Clippings, contains newspaper clippings and scrapbooks relating to SNET and its predecessor companies; Material Produced by SNET contains pamphlets and booklets covering topics like customer service or business issues produced by SNET; in addition, large binders contain sample advertisements from Yellow Pages.
Exhibits
At this hands-on museum, visitors will explore how communications technology has advanced from Alexander Graham Bell’s famous rotary dial telephone and the switching systems powering his network to modern mobile phones used today. Learn about Edmonton’s history of telecomm technology with this one-of-a-kind collection!
This collection highlights the technological innovation, ingenuity, and craftsmanship essential to the creation of wired communications networks. Beginning with the invention of the telephone and its related technologies to those responsible for designing and building these networks in Edmonton and beyond – this unique collection showcases how wired telecommunications have changed over time.
THG was established by a group of telecommunications employees who were outraged to see historical items being thrown away as buildings were closed down and equipment became outdated. Thus they created THG to preserve these pieces for posterity and tell the tale of telecom. THG features many fascinating and historic exhibits, including an original Panel private automatic branch exchange (demonstrating the stepping switch principle), manual telephone switchboards, period phones and many others that make for fascinating viewing!
Research
Students, researchers, or those simply fascinated with telephone history can make use of this unique resource. It houses vintage telephone directories from 1895; technical manuals related to telephone technology since 1800; as well as other books of interest about telecom technology and history.
Joseph Henry, who served as Secretary and was an esteemed electromagnetism physicist, is said to have assisted Alexander Graham Bell with his early efforts at building a telephone. It’s no surprise then, that Joseph Henry introduced instant communication among workrooms and offices at the Smithsonian through this means in June 1878.
Researchers may access materials Monday-Friday between 8:00 am -5:00 pm from Monday to Friday from 8:00 am -5.00 pm, although out-of-town researchers should contact staff prior to arriving. Please be aware that large bags, food and pens are not permitted within the research room and large cameras with flash enabled must be disabled before they are permitted in. Please also speak to staff if you plan on coming from out-of-town for any assistance during imaging processes involving historic materials. The library allows personal digital cameras; please disable flash before taking pictures in order to avoid confusion from staff archivists available during imaging processes; for any assistance please speak directly with staff upon arriving or before visiting staff will give more instructions when required.
