OUR MISSION
is to demonstrate the social and technical significance of the telephone network
from 1876 to the present, using working equipment to provide tangible,
operable evidence of an evolving technology.
WE CELEBRATE
the inventiveness, craftsmanship, ingenuity and industry
of the telecommunications community through educational programs,
exhibits, and special events.
"It's for YOU"
The Telephone Museum operates from the beginning of July until the end of September on a regular basis, Thursday through Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00. It is also open by appointment (or by chance!) from May through October. Work Days are held during the season to accomplish a project requiring many hands (or many projects that require a few hands) and are a great way to meet and work with telephone enthusiasts. Check this web page to find out Work Day agendas, or contact the committee chairperson listed below.
We will train you to conduct a full tour or to become well-versed in one or more aspects of the tour. Start with inventors and early history; learn to operate and demonstrate manual switchboards; introduce visitors to early dial systems; help interpret more complex switching systems – and gather passengers for a (virtual) boat trip to Frenchboro to see the (actual) Island Telephone Company’s central office.
Learn more about the materials in our archives by helping to sort, organize, catalog and preserve documents as varied as old photographs, business records, news clippings and large-format schematics. Note any damage or decay that may require professional attention.
Our term for heavy metal objects! Help identify, sort, clean, store and record in our Finding Aid, objects – large and small – in our collections. We are constantly moving equipment to add new exhibits or re-arrange storage spaces.
Many skills are sought, from woodwork restoration of old switchboards, to machining missing or broken parts, to “de-bugging” electrical or electronic problems, as well as plain old elbow grease cleaning.
Gardening, lawn-mowing, minor building repairs, painting – and bigger projects like building a staircase, insulating and sheet-rocking are all part of maintaining our appearance and a roof over our exhibits. Bring your toolbox, old clothes and sturdy work boots.
We’ve begun work on a walking trail from the field behind the main building, through the woods, to the YMCA Camp Jordan Road. Clearing brush, moving rocks and eventually erecting signage and a telephone line are part of the project.
Help design, promote and schedule a project to take on the road to school groups similar to the “Build A Carbon Transmitter” project presented to homeschoolers in past years.
Work with the Editor and Production Manager of “The Pole Line” to publish two major newsletters and periodic flyers. Develop stories, assist with graphic design and computer layout or help with labeling, envelope stuffing and distribution.
A new gift shop for the 2009 season will require help with set-up and sales. Ticket sales will also be a responsibility.
The Telephone Museum holds three events each season: Switcher’s Holiday, Family Day and Friends, Neighbors and Volunteers Day. Assist with organizing, publicizing and operating these events. Collaborations with other groups or organizations is encouraged – the possibilities are endless! Help identify and contact likely participants. Help with food and beveage service is often required.
Experience in publicity and public relations is important to getting the word out about the museum, its mission, its events and its needs - we need YOU!
If you are interested in helping the Museum with these or any other tasks, please contact volunteer coordinator Chad Perkins: chad -at- maine -dot- edu, (207) 622-4809.