Seriously, go to the Telephone Museum

 

Taking a tip from the Alibi’s Summer Guide, I decided to stroll on down to the Albuquerque Telephone Museum on 110 Fourth Street.

Buried in the middle of the outdoor plaza in Downtown Fourth Street, the Victorian-style building may be difficult to find. But once you locate it, the kitschy little museum inside is well worth the $2 admission fee.

Far from the polished atmosphere of the Natural History and Albuquerque Museums, guests at the Telephone Museum may feel as if they’ve stepped into someone’s living room, or at least a small-town tribute to its local history.

The walls on the first floor are lined with antique telephones, starting with the early 1800s. In the next room, guests are invited to try out 1950s novelty telephones in the shapes of Elvis, Barbie, and Mickey Mouse.

As well as the myriad of telephones and phone equipment, the museum takes visitors back in time with mannequins, including a life-size representation of Alexander Graham Bell. They added color to their depictions of historical events, and just enough cheesiness to endear the museum to visitors.

As no museum would be complete without a gift shop, this one offers visitors a chance to take home dangly telephone earrings, Alexander Graham Bell magnets, and even an outdated VHS tape on how to teach children telephone manners.

If you need a respite from the heat, or the 21st century, ring up the Albuquerque Telephone Museum for a guided tour.