United States
Massachusetts (MA)
Cape Cod
Chatham
North Chatham
Things to Do in North Chatham
Chatham Marconi Maritime Center

Chatham Marconi Maritime Center, North Chatham: Address, Phone Number, Chatham Marconi Maritime Center Reviews: 5/5

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Chatham Marconi Maritime Center

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Chatham Marconi Maritime Center
5
215
#1 of 3 things to do in North Chatham
Historic Sites • Science Museums • History Museums
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From Marconi's Spark To Modern Wireless! Chatham Marconi Maritime Center's unique Marconi-RCA Wireless Museum traces the storied history of maritime radio communication in Chatham from 1914 throughout the 20th Century. Located in a National Register Historic District, the facility was once the busiest ship-to-shore receiving station on the East Coast and a significant military installation during World War II. The museum, which features informative exhibits, interactive displays and original videos, maintains regular hours from April through November. During the off-season, visits may be scheduled by appointment. Please see our website for more information. The Center also occupies a second building on Marconi's preserved 11 acre, 10-building campus, hosting an Education Center for on-site children’s "STEM After Hours" classes and fun "Summer Science" day classes in season.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Popular mentions
5.0
215 reviews
Excellent
195
Very good
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1
Susan M
1 contribution
Don't Miss This Museum
Oct 2021
This museum was amazing. They have personal tours included with your membership that were so helpful. The technology was a little tricky to understand but with their help in explaining it, it all made sense. They are kind and courteous and incredibly knowleagable. I had recently read Thunderstruck by Erik Larson (which they sell in the gift shop) that talks about how Marconi's invention came about and the immediate difference it made in Ship to shore and ship to ship communication. It was amazing to actually see the equipment that is referred to in the book. The amount of actual equipment they have there is impressive. This museum is really fascinating and well worth the price of admission. Don't miss it.
Written October 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Craig S
3 contributions
Be prepared to geek out!
Sep 2021
This place is a shrine to the age of radio, back when it was 'high tech'. The visit starts with an introductory video, which we very much enjoyed, after which we roamed around looking at the exhibits, which were fascinating. In its day, this facility was of major international importance, used for ship-to-shore and shore-to-ship radiotelegraphy. Its role in monitoring the airwaves for distress calls was also of major historic importance; for example, it relayed distress calls from Titanic to Carpathia, allowing for the rescue of the survivors.

My wife particularly enjoyed trying her hand at Morse Code, while I roamed around learning about the equipment. I particularly enjoyed the diorama showing the antenna array, with all the different kinds of antennae used at the facility. Giant rhomboid antennas, what's not to like?

The staff was knowledgeable and clearly have a passion for this era of our technological history.
Written September 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Red2830
Rhode Island19 contributions
Fun place to explore communications before cell phones.
Jul 2021
A wonderful treasure trove of the history of wireless communication, with the best docent! One of the most interesting museums that we have visited. There are enough "hands-on" to interest school-aged kids, and so much to explore in this small place. It was so much more than we anticipated. Well worth the time!
Written August 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
fitzpatr_p
Kansas City, MO4 contributions
Loved this history of wireless communication up until satellites.
Aug 2021 • Couples
The history of wireless communication, very informative and interesting. The guides were very knowledgeable and could answer any questions. Good video presentations as well.
Written August 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Rhroncich
Brookfield, IL315 contributions
Great place to geek out on the history of radio and how it continues to inform today's tech
Aug 2021 • Couples
This is a STEM teachers dream. Families were there, helping their kids discover life before cell phones.
A nice docent named Nick escorted us through some of the exhibits and told us personal stories about people who worked in this field.
They have models of the enigma machine, used to crack WWII German transmission codes. Exhibits on Morse Code, showing working conditions and the importance of listening to ship to shore communications.
Without the workers at this installation, there would have been grave loss of life.
There was a great secondary exhibit in a building nearby of how radio continues to influence modern life.
Written August 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Michelle C
New Bedford, MA55 contributions
Great place to learn about local history
Jul 2021 • Couples
Visited this place for the first time today with my boyfriend. We actually discovered it thru Trip Advisor. Very interesting. Great place to learn about the history of communication. Very very friendly staff.
Written July 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Joanne H
Westborough, MA75 contributions
Something for everyone at this museum gem!
Jul 2021 • Family
A hidden gem full of history and experiences with knowledgeable staff. My son and I loved our visit. He's a kid into all things tech so he loved learning about wireless and he also loves puzzles so the cryptography was a hit. An amazing piece of history in this beautiful town. So glad we went!
Written July 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
LEPCT
Newington, CT83 contributions
I actually started to get the hang of Morse Code!
Jun 2021
I was fascinated by the changing technology of how messages were sent via wireless telegraph. Once I sat down and tried tapping out my name in Morse code, a staff member walked over and said "Hi Laura!" So don't send any secrets!
Written June 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
sandyw230
Saint Peters, MO8 contributions
Very great history lesson
Jun 2021 • Couples
Great volunteer Ron was super informative and have is an hour long demonstration of how the station operated. We learned a lot about this important communication between land and sea.
Written June 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Susan and Randa... B
1 contribution
educational
May 2021
What a great place to visit. After an informative tour of the museum, we took a walk up to the location where the antena used to be. A great place for radio, communications and navy personnel to visit.
Will be bringing guest there again this summer
Written May 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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