Published: May 27, 2009 09:48 am      

Telephone Museum Wired

OKLAHOMA CITY — Running a museum was not something the Bob and Betty McCoy of Jones had originally seen in their future plans. However, fate took their plans into its own hands in 1991 after the couple was asked by a friend to assist with a task.

Bob had spent 34 years with Southwestern Bell and, after retiring, dedicated time to the AT&T Pioneer volunteer program. An administrator of the program asked Bob and Betty to sort through a box of old archived papers and pictures. As they sorted through the materials, an idea began to take place. Although much of the items of the box were discarded, the couple found some interesting pieces that they began to display around the office.

“Before we knew it, we had a display case and before we knew it again, we had a museum,” said Bob.

The museum is now officially titled the Oklahoma Museum of Telephone History and is located at 111 Dean A. McGee Avenue in Oklahoma City, inside the current AT&T building.

To really get the idea jump started, the McCoy’s traveled to Dallas and Madill, Okla. to gather switchboards, phones and display cases. The items started being put on display in a small Southwestern Bell Communications office on N.W. 23rd Street. The next year, the museum was housed at 800 N. Harvey Avenue at the SBC headquarters building. In 2006, the museum moved to its current location where it continues to operate.

The couple is proud to show off the many displays at the museum to both local and nation-wide tour groups and interested people. The museum contains various novelty phones, old switchboards and AT&T employee memorabilia, among other items. Betty said the memorabilia, which includes bracelets and pins of fine jewels, is a popular attraction for the women.

Although well-stocked, the McCoys said they continue to take in donations, most of which come from company retirees.

“We’re grateful for what we get and now we’re busting at the seams,” said Bob.

The Oklahoma Museum of Telephone History is open on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and by special arrangement. For more information, contact the McCoy’s at telemuseum@aol.com or by phone at 236-6153 or 396-2311.