The Montrose Historical & Telephone Pioneer Museum has many hands-on, educational, historical and fun exhibits for all. Our exhibits are updated and changed on a regular basis so each time you visit we’re sure to have some new and interesting objects to see. You could see something you did not see last time you were in.
Many of our volunteers have many years experience, and they love to share their knowledge with our guests. Below are a sampling of what you’ll see at the museum.
When you first enter our museum, if you go straight to the back, you will see permanently displayed a barber shop, a pharmacy, and a tool shop from Montrose’s past.There is also a display of military uniforms and the bank vault from the original Montrose Bank. There are other displays that change frequently as new local items come into the museum.
If you look up above our displays, you will see larger Montrose objects like this Lyman Hardware Co. two-man hand saw sign. This business was established in 1932 in a former hardware store that had been built in 1896.
This is just one of our interactive displays, as you dial the black phone you will see on the board behind the phone the number you are calling on the electronic switchboard. The phone will ring in the booth next to the phone. These displays are great fun for both adults and children of all ages.
Not only do we have the old candle stick phones we also have antique switchboards like this one from Japan. We have phones made in the United States and also international phones.
We also have antique and retro phones and one of the largest collections of character phones. We have phones that look like cars, Disney phones and we even have an Alf phone.