National Capitol Radio & Television Museum facts for kids

National Capital Radio & Television Museum

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Established	June 1999
Location	2608 Mitchellville Rd Bowie, Maryland

The National Capital Radio & Television Museum in Bowie, Maryland, teaches people about how electronic media like radio and TV developed. It shows off old radios and televisions from the past.

Discover the Museum

The National Capital Radio & Television Museum has many exhibits and learning tools. They help visitors understand how electronic media has changed our world. The museum's collection shows the history of technology even before radio. It then moves through the development of television and newer radio-based inventions.

What You Can See and Do

At the museum, you can find interactive displays that show how radio waves work. You can also listen to early recordings of radio and television shows. There are even special exhibits designed to be fun for kids.

Visiting Hours

The museum is open on Fridays from 9 AM to 4 PM. On Saturdays and Sundays, it is open from 12 PM to 4 PM. If you want to bring a group or a school tour, you need to arrange it beforehand. There is a charge to get in now.

Museum Galleries

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

• Gallery 1: Wireless Beginnings: This section focuses on the invention of "wireless telegraphy." This was a way to send Morse Code messages without wires.
• Gallery 2: Birth of Broadcasting: Learn about the very first radio broadcasts. People often listened to these early shows using radios they built themselves. Soon, radio became popular all over the country.
• Gallery 3: Radio Comes of Age: Radio became a common item in many American homes. This was also when the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) was created to manage radio stations.
• Gallery 4: Radio’s Golden Age: As technology improved, radios became cheaper and smaller. Radio also became a main way for families to be entertained.
• Gallery 5: Post-War Radio: Radio was still very popular, but then television arrived. TV brought a new way to see and hear programs.
• Gallery 6: Rise of Television: Explore twenty years of new ideas in TV design. This includes different ways signals were received and displayed.
• Gallery 7: How it all Works: This gallery brings to life the Sound effects that were used for early radio shows.

Museum History

In 1984, some people who collected old radios in the Washington/Baltimore area started a hobby group. It was called the Mid-Atlantic Antique Radio Club (MAARC). This club grew and now has about 800 members. They also publish a monthly magazine.

Creating the Museum

Soon after MAARC started, 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 formed in 1993. This group is now known as the National Capital Radio & Television Museum (NCRTV Museum). It was created specifically to build and run a museum about radio and television.

Finding a Home

The museum started with no building, no money, and no collection. Only a few dedicated volunteers helped out. They began by borrowing items from local radio collectors. They set up temporary exhibits in public libraries, at the George Washington University, and at the City Place Mall in Silver Spring, Maryland. They worked hard to find an affordable building for a permanent museum.

In 1998, the museum learned about an old farmhouse in Bowie, Maryland. The City of Bowie owned and had fixed up this house, which was over 100 years old. It was in a good location, easy to reach from major roads. After visiting, the museum leaders thought it would be perfect. They presented their idea to the Bowie City Council. The city manager agreed to let the museum use the building for a long time.

In March 1999, the lease agreement was signed. The museum officially opened its doors to the public in June 1999. It celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2009.

A New Name

Over the years, people sometimes got confused between the Radio History Society and the Radio & Television Museum. So, in 2011, the board decided to change the organization's name. It became the National Capital Radio & Television Museum. This new name was announced on May 9, 2012. Also, in mid-2011, the museum hired its first paid staff members.

Today, the museum and the City of Bowie continue to work together. The city takes care of the building and grounds. The NCRTV Museum runs the exhibits and programs.

Other Partnerships

The museum also works with other organizations. Since 2001, it has developed exhibits at the George Washington University. It also has displays at the Library of American Broadcasting at the University of Maryland. Recently, it has partnered with the Prince George's County Memorial Library System to offer regular programs.

Images for kids

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  National Capital Radio & TV Museum