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Enter The Museum Contacts/Directions Links Area Attractions Giving |
Visitors and others checking checking out some equipments...
The museum is just one of the many interesting things to do in these beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina... just a few miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway on the campus of the Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College near downtown Asheville and many other attractions.
If you're visiting, or just want to know what's going on in this area, check out the excellent site Asheville Now ...........and you might just want to check out our local amateur radio club's site the Western Carolina Amateur Radio Society, click on http://www.wcars.org/. Perhaps you can make a meeting with us; it's held on the first Thursday of each month!
VISITORS PLEASE NOTE: WE WILL BE CLOSED IN December but will resume Friday openings from 1-3pm beginning February 6, 2009. Note: we also conduct special tours throughout most of the year for those who cannot make the Friday 1-3 pm openings. (See last paragraph below and the Contacts link at the top).
Museum exhibits range from Atwater Kent, Philco, Silvertone, Edison phonographs, Crosley, Hammarlund, Harvey Wells, test instruments, spark gap transmitters, keys, ancient QSL cards and more! Our staff are volunteers with an interest in radio history and electronics - the museum provides a wonderful opportunity to interest young folks in radio.
The museum is sponsored by QCWA Chapter 145.
Several of our young visitors enjoying a turn at the key...
Our staff is involved in teaching and licensing future amateur radio
operators - call Norman Harrill for this: .
This is a museum where you can touch the radios and do things, and yes, we do have an amateur radio station W4AFM - take a turn at the mike! This call which once belonged to a leader in radio, Bill Hayes, who was licensed in 1926 and guided many in the world of amateur radio.
Many early radios and other radio items have been generously donated, vintage radio equipment, microphones, and publications are always needed - all of which qualify for a tax deduction to the full extent of the law. Keep in mind that there is a place in the Southeast for your collection to be enjoyed by many others!
WOULD YOU LIKE TO BECOME A MEMBER We are a tax-deductible 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, your donation will help us to expand our museum properly. More about this, just click here:Membership and other contributions . We encourage you to become a member regardless of your location...and remember, with your membership you can bring as many people as you wish!. Join us in helping to save the history of radio via your membership or other contributions.Note: If you are interested in longer term planning such as a personal legacy in your will or the donation of securities, for example, please click on the Giving link above.
WHERE IS THE MUSEUM(see Contacts/Directions link above for map and more). We are just a few miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway on the campus of the Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. From I-40, take Exit 50 to Hendersonville Road (US 25 North) which becomes Biltmore Avenue. Stay in the right lane. In the Mission hospital area, turn left on Victoria Road and go about .8 mile. You will see the historic circa 1845 Smith-McDowell House on a corner...turn right and go about 200 feet. You'll see the Elm building on your left and parking on both sides of the street. Park in a space with a white strips. Entering the Elm Building , go to the elevator in the middle and up to room 315 to the museum..
WHEN CAN WE SEE THE MUSEUM Other than the Dec-Jan period when we are closed, we are normally open each Friday from 1 pm to 3 pm, but you can also call for a tour on other weekdays as our volunteers can take you through on other days with a little advance notice). See the Contacts/Directions Link above for names, telephone numbers and email addresses. Tours on days other than Friday 1-3pm are $5 per person, children under 13 free.
An Interesting Addition.....
The Spark Gap Transmitter below was constructed by Harry Mills, K4HU. It is in working condition; we are very pleased to have this fine donation.
