PhoneCon: Mid-Atlantic Historical Telephony Conf & Expo - Baltimore -July 25-26

[agoldber3]

You are invited to attend PhoneCon 2026 at the Computer Museum, whether you are fascinated with telephone history and technlogy or just curious or nostalgic.
The Mid-Atlantic Historical Telephony Conference and Expo (PhoneCon) celebrates the 150th anniversary of the first telephone patent. It will include presentations on aspects of telephone collecting and history, equpment demonstrations, and collectors with vintage telephones and related items to sell.
You can learn how - and why - to start in telephone collecting. You can also learn how to continue to use heritage telephones as the industry is migrating to cellular- and WiFI/Internet-based services.
PhoneCon is a non-commercial event, sponsored by the non-profit Computer Museum, Telephone Collectors International, and Antique Telephone Collectors Association. It is organized by volunteers.
Details and registration information will be found at https://phonecon.org, beginning in April.
Starting immediately, PhoneCon is looking for speakers. Presentations can be overviews or specifics related to history, technology, collecting, STEM opportunities, or ways to relax and have fun with the hobby. We also invite volunteers to help with arrangements.
If you can't attend in person, you can register to participate in the conference portion on-line.

[5415551212]

How big is this show? Is it the same people that organize the one in Lancaster PA? I wonder it there is more interest in old phones in the Eastern US? Out here in Pacific North West (PNW) we have the Seattle museum (that I have yet to make it to) but no phone shows or events that I know of. Even vintage computer events are less common.

[poplar1]

When clicking on the link, I get:

Access to phonecon.org was denied
You don't have authorization to view this page.
HTTP ERROR 403

[agoldber3]

As it says above, "Details and registration information will be found at https://phonecon.org, beginning in April." We'll try to get at least the landing page up sooner.

[agoldber3]

How big is this show? Is it the same people that organize the one in Lancaster PA? I wonder it there is more interest in old phones in the Eastern US? Out here in Pacific North West (PNW) we have the Seattle museum (that I have yet to make it to) but no phone shows or events that I know of. Even vintage computer events are less common.

Lancaster is the national annual show put on by Telephone Collectors International. This one is different, in that PhoneCon will actively invite members of the public, primarily from the Philadelphia-Baltimore-Washington region to learn about the hobby and shop the vendors; and it will have the conference portion to share some of what we know with each and the public. PhoneCon is hosted by the Computer Museum -- a worthwhile destination in its own right -- and supported by both TCI and Antique Telephone Collectors Association.
For those who can't attend this show in person, we are offering registration for the conference online. Gives you a chance to see and hear fellow collectors, and become involved with questions and discussions.
The density of members of both ATCA and TCI is somewhat greater in the east and upper midwest than in the rest of the country, with relatively dense pockets around SFO and LA. Events depend on (1) the people who are willing to set them up, and (2) the people who are willing to travel to attend because they consider it worth the travel distance. If you don't have #1, then #2 doesn't matter. East of the Mississippi this year, there will be telephone events in NY, PA, IN, KY, MD, and (I think) FL.
As far as shows in your area, you should consider the Northern California show in November in Mt. View. You can find details at telephonecollectors.org
You should run, not walk, to the Seattle museum. I has an extensive collection with many unique items. It also has amazing volunteers who litterally keep the equipment humming (or clattering).
-- Alan