National Capitol Radio & Television Museum facts for kids

The National Capital Radio & Television Museum in Bowie, Maryland, is a cool place to learn about how radio and TV have changed over time. It shows off old radios, televisions, and other cool gadgets from the past. The museum helps everyone understand the history of electronic media.

What You'll Find at the Museum

The National Capital Radio & Television Museum has lots of fun things to see and do. It teaches you how electronic media has shaped our world. You can explore how technology grew from early ideas before radio. It then moves all the way to modern TV and radio.

The museum also has hands-on displays. You can see how radio waves work. You can also listen to old radio and TV shows. Many exhibits are made to be fun for kids and teens.

Visiting the Museum

You can visit the museum on Fridays from 9 AM to 4 PM. On Saturdays and Sundays, it's open from 12 PM to 4 PM. If you want to bring a group or a school class, you need to set up a visit ahead of time. It's free to get in, but donations are always welcome.

Explore the Galleries

The National Capital Radio & Television Museum has seven exciting exhibit areas. Each one tells a part of the story of radio and TV.

• Gallery 1: Wireless Beginnings: This gallery shows how "wireless telegraphy" began. This was a way to send messages using Morse Code without wires.
• Gallery 2: Birth of Broadcasting: Learn about the very first radio shows. People often listened to them using simple radios they built at home. See how radio quickly became popular across the country.
• Gallery 3: Radio Comes of Age: Discover how radio became a common item in many American homes. This is also when the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) was created. The FCC helps manage radio stations.
• Gallery 4: Radio’s Golden Age: As technology got better, radios became cheaper and smaller. Radio was a main way for families to be entertained.
• Gallery 5: Post-War Radio: Radio was still very popular after the war. But then, television came along, bringing a whole new way to see and hear things.
• Gallery 6: Rise of Television: This gallery looks at 20 years of TV design. It shows different ways people tried to receive and display TV signals.
• Gallery 7: How it all Works: Find out how sound effects were made for early radio shows. You can even try some out yourself!

National Capital Radio & TV Museum

History of the Museum

In 1984, some people who collected old radios started a group. They were from the Washington and Baltimore areas. This group was called the Mid-Atlantic Antique Radio Club (MAARC). MAARC grew and now has about 800 members. They even publish a monthly magazine.

Soon, MAARC members thought about creating a museum. They wanted to share their love for old radios with everyone. They realized they needed a separate group just for the museum. So, the Radio & Television Museum (R&T Museum) was started in 1993. It was run by the Radio History Society, Inc. This group is now known as the National Capital Radio & Television Museum (NCRTV Museum).

Finding a Home

At first, the museum had no building, no money, and no collection. A few dedicated volunteers borrowed items from local collectors. They set up small exhibits in public libraries and at George Washington University. They also had displays at the City Place Mall in Silver Spring, Maryland. The goal was to find a permanent home for the museum.

In 1998, the Society learned about an old farmhouse in Bowie, Maryland. The City of Bowie owned and had fixed up this 100-year-old building. It was in a good spot, easy to reach from Route 50. The museum leaders thought it would be perfect.

Opening the Museum

The Society presented their idea to the Bowie City Council. The city agreed to let the museum use the building for a long time. In March 1999, the lease was signed. The museum officially opened its doors to the public in June 1999. They celebrated their 10th birthday in 2009.

Over time, people sometimes got confused between the Radio History Society and the Radio & Television Museum. So, in 2011, the board decided to change the name. On May 9, 2012, they announced the new name: National Capital Radio & Television Museum. They also hired their first paid staff member in 2011.

Today, the museum and the city still work together. The city takes care of the building and grounds. The NCRTV Museum runs all the exhibits and programs.

The museum also works with other groups. They have created exhibits at George Washington University since 2001. They also have displays at the Library of American Broadcasting at the University of Maryland. Recently, they started working with the Prince George's County Memorial Library System. They now offer regular programs there.