Children's Museums

Early Television Museum

Name: Early Television Museum
Address: 5396 Franklin St, Hilliard, OH 43026, Hilliard, OH, US
Telephone: (614) 771-0510
Rating: 4.6

★★★★☆ 4.6 (153 reviews)

📍 5396 Franklin St, Hilliard, OH 43026

📞 (614) 771-0510

🌐 www.earlytelevision.org

Visit Website 📍 Get Directions

🕐 Hours

Monday	Closed
Tuesday	Closed
Wednesday	Closed
Thursday	Closed
Friday	Closed
Saturday	10 AM–6 PM
Sunday	12–5 PM

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About Early Television Museum

Museum of vintage TV equipment. Museum displaying a large collection of rare, vintage television sets & studio equipment. The museum houses mechanical television sets from the 1920s with spinning disks and tiny screens, representing some of the earliest television technology ever created. Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars by 153 visitors.

Quick Facts

Type: Early Television Museum
Location: Hilliard, Ohio
Focus: Mechanical TV (1920s) through color television (1950s)
Hours: Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 12pm-5pm
Membership: $50 annually with free admission

💡 Did You Know?

⭐The museum houses mechanical television sets from the 1920s with spinning disks and tiny screens, representing some of the earliest television technology ever created
⭐Many of the vintage television sets in the collection are fully functional and actually work, allowing visitors to see them flicker to life rather than viewing static displays
⭐The museum operates as a passion project run by enthusiasts of early television history and maintains a collection of one-of-a-kind items, including some television sets that are the only known remaining examples in existence
⭐The museum sells NOS (New Old Stock) and used CRTs (cathode ray tubes) as well as rare TV sets through online offerings, serving as both a museum and a resource for television restoration enthusiasts
⭐Interactive exhibits include QR codes throughout the museum that provide detailed information about individual TV sets, including their donor origins and historical context

💬 What Visitors Say

💬Plan to spend 2-3 hours to fully appreciate the collection. Visitors recommend allowing several hours to move through the exhibits at a comfortable pace and take in details via QR codes that provide additional information about each TV's provenance.
💡Start with the mechanical television section featuring spinning disk sets from the 1920s, then progress chronologically through wooden 1930s-40s sets, post-war black-and-white models, and finally early color televisions. This natural flow guides you through TV history's evolution.
💬Annual membership at $50 offers excellent value if you plan multiple visits or are bringing family, especially since non-member admission is $10 per adult. Members receive free admission and access to monthly online meetings and newsletters.
💬Always email or call ahead to confirm Saturday (10am-6pm) or Sunday (12pm-5pm) hours before visiting, particularly if traveling more than an hour away. The small staff occasionally closes unexpectedly despite prior confirmations.
💡Don't miss the camera room—reviewers highlighted it as a favorite exhibit. Many displays feature working televisions that actually power on, creating a unique opportunity to see functioning vintage technology from different eras.