Early Television Museum

Interesting museum located in downtown Hilliard! They had many early televisions in their exhibit. Unfortunately, I left wanting more. Several of the audio tour buttons were not working. I also wish there was an old tv that was functional so we could experience it or if they had more interactive experiences. The $10 admission seemed high for what it was.

Only $5 and very interesting to see these rare television models that date back to the very earliest sets. 1930's and 1940's black and white televisions from the United States and Europe. Many of them restored to their original condition. It's at least a half hour to view the collection and experience this trip through TV history. Worth it.They do accept credit cards, but you'll be better off with cash.[Review 11274 overall, 1051 of 2019.]

This museum was amazing with so many early TV's and other electronic devices! The TV sets range from the early 1920's and go through the 1950's with a few sets from the 1960's. I was impressed on how many different TV set designs there were. Also a great amount of history throughout the museum of the early years of TV's! There was plenty to see and the cost of admission is $5 donation. I believe they are only opened on the weekends.

Talk about a hidden gem... I was expecting a small room with a few vintage televisions. I was pleasantly surprised to find room after room of unique and historical televisions. Who knew there were mechanical televisions??

This building didn't look like much. But it is a step back in television history. The building did not look like they were holding these classic gems here. Dont worry about the cost a little donation is all they ask if you dont have the $5 per person. If you have a l ok ve for classic televisions and some history this is the place on Saturday and Sunday.

Our greeting was less of a welcome and more of a "I'll take your money now" statement. It felt a bit awkward. Interesting items inside.

I'm giving this museum 4 stars with a big caveat: if you go, don't expect it to be about television *programming*. It's strictly about TV equipment.The rooms seem to be organized roughly by era. There are some prewar TVs, a few that look like midcentury pieces. Mainly cabinet-style TVs. You can turn some of them on temporarily, but only one sort-of got a picture that I tried.I really liked the room that had the recording equipment. There was a news van you could peek into (maybe go up into, I didn't ask), some big vintage TV cameras and consoles. It felt like being in a movie. I also really liked the signs.Suggested donation is $5 and it's in a really neat little part of Old Hilliard. Parking is ample and the man at the front desk was really sweet. If you want to have a blast from the past (because for real, didn't your grandparents have that big ol' TV cabinet? I know mine did), it's a quick trip with some interesting items.

This place was really cool. There are TV's here long before I thought they were invented. It was absolutely fascinating. There were American and European TV's going all the way back to the late 1920's with mechanical TV's. In the 1928 tv's, there was a spinning disc and a magnifying glass. I don't know how it worked but I'm going to research it. There were a lot from the late 1930's and the 40's and 50's. They're all in great condition and some of them even turn on (but don't try). There are really big ones and really small, all very decorative. You can see how they were designed like a piece of furniture, and how the styles changed through the decades. There are even big TV cameras from the 50's and a big TV truck with a portable studio booth inside. There are picture tubes of all sizes, TV's of all sizes. It was interesting to see massive appliances just to hold a tiny screen smaller than my laptop screen. There was even one ancient portable tv that had a screen smaller than my cell phone. This place was a treat and I will probably go back. This is a nice, little known, out of the way place in old Hilliard that I wish more people knew about it. I'd love to see it thrive. It's a must for any history buff.The guy that was there doesn't know much about it but the owner does and if you call and make an appointment, he'll take you on a tour. Here is an album of the pictures I took: http://picasaweb.google.com/Stinkysdaddy/EarlyTelevisionMuseum?feat=directlink

If you like early televisions/antiques then you should really check it out. This place is awesome! They have about a dozen rooms FULL of early televisions and related items. Rooms are divided up into foreign/US models and by era. All of them have information with them which includes the model, a short writeup of it's history, year manufactured, and original price (assuming they know it). Several of the televisions are in working order and have a switch to turn them on so you can see what their picture looked like. They're all fed by old TV shows.It's amazing to see all the variations in sets thru the years. They also have a section with TV production equipment including early cameras and one of the first mobile production trucks. What I thought would amount to a quick walk-thru ended up being a little over an hour and I really could have spent longer. I wish I had more time and would love to go back again some time for a closer look.Amazingly this place is FREE, although they suggest (rightfully so) a donation of $5 adults, $3 kids. Well worth it. I ended up donating and becoming a member of the museum.

This little museum was enjoyable. Lots of old TVs from all over the World. Basically sets from 1920-1960. Very interesting.