Videos that I took during my visit to The Ellsworth, Maine Telephone Museum in October 2024
Video #1 – The first video is a long video that takes you on the tour of the main building. I also demonstrate making a call on the #5 Crossbar switch.
Video #2 – Here’s a demonstration of how an early generation cordboard works. It’s a magneto based system where the door “flips” from black to red to signal the operator that someone wishes to make a call.
Video #3 – Here’s a call to a more “modern” cordboard with a common battery. It’s hard to see, but a light turns on when I pick up the phone.
Video #4 – Here I put a dime in a Coin First pay phone on the #3 crossbar. The register-sender wakes up, and then resets because the receiver is on the hook. So this is a quick “off hook-on hook”
Video #4 – Here I am making a local call on the Coin First pay phone on the #3 Crossbar
Video #5 – I’m making a call from the Coin First pay phone on the #3 crossbar to a phone on the Frenchboro CX-100 central office.
Video #6 – Demonstrating the digit absorbing selector on a Step by Step switch.
Video #7 – A quick demonstration of a Step by Step switch.
Video #8 – A demonstration of how calls on Step by Step switches were connected together via trunks. This simulates a call through several Step offices.
Video #9 – Another Step by Step demonstration.
Video #10 – Example of making a call through the #5 crossbar from a rotary dial phone.
Video #11 – Example of a call through #5 crossbar but from a Touch Tone phone.
Video #12 – Volunteer David Thompson demonstrates the North Electric CX-100 switch that was used in Frenchboro, ME. (Video 1 of 2)
Video #13 – Volunteer David Thompson demonstrates the North Electric CX-100 switch that was used in Frenchboro, ME. (Video 2 of 2)
Video #14 – Making a call from a Coin First pay phone connected through the #5 crossbar.
Video #15 – Quick demonstration of a two digit Step by Step PBX switch at the Maine Telephone History Building (1 of 2).
Video #15 – Quick demonstration of a two digit Step by Step PBX switch at the Maine Telephone History Building (2 of 2).
Ellsworth, ME Telephone Museum Pages
My Visit to the Ellsworth, ME Telephone Museum
A write up of my visit to the Telephone Museum in October 2024
Photos of the Main Building
Photos of the main building that shows the history of telephony through the years
Photos of the Maine Telephone History Building
Photos of how independent telephone companies implemented technology through the early years
Photos of the Frenchboro, ME Central Office Building
Photos of the Frenchboro, ME CX-100 switch
Other Pictures
Other photos taken at the museum
Videos of the Telephone Museum
A series of YouTube videos of the Ellsworth, ME Telephone Museum