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Ohio (OH)
Hilliard
Things to Do in Hilliard
Early Television Museum

Early Television Museum, Hilliard: Tickets, Tours, Address, Phone Number, Early Television Museum Reviews: 4.5/5

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Early Television Museum

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Early Television Museum
4.5
22
#2 of 11 things to do in Hilliard
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Edward G
New York City, NY194 contributions
Outstanding Collection of Early Televisions
Aug 2020
In an unassuming building outside Columbus is an outstanding collection of vintage televisions from the first mechanical televisions, through the advent of color. Gallery after gallery the exhibit spaces grow larger in spaces packed with shelves of televisions and tubes of all imaginable shapes and sizes. Make your way through to the end for the larges gallery that includes television production and transmission equipment, from cameras to a news van and an enormous transmitter.
Written April 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
LABDRB
553 contributions
Amazing collection highlighting the history of televisions
Apr 2021 • Couples
Super cool adventure today to the Early Television Museum. Dedicated to pre and post WW II TVs. Founded by Steve McVoy who worked in a television repair shop after school. In 1999 he sold his cable television business, was looking for something to do with his time, and decided to collect early television receivers from the 1920’s on. The rest is history. This is a self-guided tour, and they have audio recordings telling you about many things within the museum. Also everything is labeled with lots of interesting information.

Suggested cost of entry is only five dollars per person, and it is considered a “donation only”. They have some cool “merch” for sale too. Parking is free. Plan on spending about one hour at this museum. After visiting this neat place, take a short walk over to the Center Street Market where you can grab a cold beer and some vittles...
Written April 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
ErinMoore
Columbus, OH99 contributions
Fun Collection of TVs Throughout History
Mar 2019 • Couples
Always looking for fun things to see while family is in town. I had first heard about this museum last fall. They ask $5 per adult to get in which was fine. Happy the guy working told us where to start our tour as it wasn't right up front. Several buttons throughout the museum turn on TVs. A few were inoperable during our visit but it seems like they are always trying to get things up and running asap. Enjoyed our visit and plan to tell others about this place!
Written March 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Lovetotraveldave
Neenah, WI4 contributions
Extensive museum built by passionate collector
May 2018 • Friends
This museum is one of those hidden gems that you’ll always remember. It was built by a very dedicated collector who collected and preserved TVs and video equipment before it was scraped. The amount he collected and the ingenuity it represents is truly amazing. Since starting this collection the museum has become a Mecca for TV collectors, hosting a yearly convention. It has also taken on the task of rebuilding picture tubes to keep older sets running! The museum itself is well organized with many operating sets. Just push the button, wait a minute for the set to warm up and you’ll see an old time video. Tours are self guided with each display well labeled. They are many unique aspects to see. I especially enjoyed the extensive mechanical TV set collections both in black and white and color.
Written June 11, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
LJ K
Columbus, OH2,321 contributions
Wonderful display of history
Apr 2018 • Friends
Visited the early television museum with a group of friends in April the museum houses lots of old televisions which are one or two of the kind left in existence this is a great place to view history of television many displays which are working of older television from the beginning of time to the present well worth the experience
Written April 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
doriruth
Fort Myers, FL78 contributions
Very informative
Oct 2017 • Family
This attraction was really cool. TV's from the 30 up til 80's. It was a self guided tour which was nice since there was so much to see.
It was $5.00 to get in and was well worth it.
Written October 8, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Matt F
Traverse City, MI34 contributions
History that would be lost with this Museum
May 2017 • Couples
My wife and I were shocked at how large the museum is and the history of TV from the mechanical models up to modern times. Several of the TVs are the only ones in existence. Several of the units work. Only open short time on weekends.
Written May 30, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Sue B
Rock Hill, MO27 contributions
Very interesting
May 2017 • Couples
Great little museum. We learned a lot about TVs from as early as the 1920s. Beautifully restored TVs, some even worked. Spent about an hour or so here. Only a $5.00 donation. If your near Hilliard OH, and have an hour or so to spare, this is really worth it.
Written May 23, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
UsuallyNotGrumpy
Columbus, Oh3,866 contributions
We donated a very olde Zenith to them!
Feb 2017 • Solo
It's an interesting place. Young people (to me: younger than 30) will have no clue at all what the large, extremely heavy pieces of furniture with the glass front are! It was nice to know the Zenith (anyone heard of that name anymore?) da wife had in college has found a nice home.
Written April 23, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Trg44
9 contributions
Nice surprise!
Jan 2017 • Friends
I went to the Early Television Museum with a few friends on a whim. For one, it was bigger than I expected. They have TV sets from the early 20th century to the 1950's. I'm not too interested in TV history but we spent a good 1.5 hours exploring the building. The designs were really cool to see and although there wasn't too much info available for each set I really enjoyed seeing the progression of technology/design through the decades. This was a nice find for a Saturday afternoon!
Written January 15, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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