Did you know that just over a century ago, American homes just started gaining access to one of the latest pieces of modern technology? Back in the 1920s, homes were being outfitted with wiring for the telephone, an intriguing hunk of metal and wire that quickly became one of the most important gadgets of the American household. It’s easy to take our thin, powerful, and extremely mobile phones for granted these days, but there are some places where you can see how this piece of technology grew over the centuries.

Take, for example, the Telephone Pioneer Museum sequestered in a modest brick building in downtown Albuquerque.
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In fact, whether you're local, long-distance, or roaming, this museum is most certainly worth the trip.
Step inside the museum and you'll find yourself practically stepping back in time when receivers were connected by cords, dialing a number was an arduous process, and paying for a long-distance call wasn't unheard of.
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The museum is a rare wonder.
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It opened its doors in 1997 and is home to a massive four-floor collection that shows just how the technology evolved over the years.

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In fact, during a visit here, you just might find a phone that reminds you of your childhood, whether it's one you had, wanted, or saw in a family member's home.
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Scattered across the museum are displays that showcase how the phone added to the home and office.
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Mannequins stand in for maids answering a candlestick phone, switchboard operators at work, and even a lineman perched atop a phone pole.
Have you had a chance to visit this hidden gem of a museum?
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The Telephone Pioneer Museum is located in downtown Albuquerque, at the intersection of Fourth Street and Copper Avenue.
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The museum is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Admission is free, but there is a suggested donation of $4 per adult and $2 per child 12 and under.

Address: 110 4th St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
Phone: 505-842-2937

In need of a quick meal while you’re in the area? Be sure to enjoy the award-winning sandwiches at Slow Roasted Bocadillos, located just a half-mile north of the museum. Read more in Slow Roasted Bocadillos Serves The Absolute Best Sandwiches In New Mexico.

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110 4th St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102, USA