Idaho Chapter 121  
999 Main Street  Plaza Level,   PO Box 7888  
Boise, ID  83723-7888,  ( 208 385-2679)

Contact: Pat Wynn, Treasure Valley Club   ( 208 442-5417)

Telecom Pioneer Exhibit at Snake River Heritage Center Highlights Idaho Telephony
in Weiser Idaho 

      The Telecom Pioneer exhibit at the Snake River Heritage Center is obviously much smaller than the vast telephony displays in larger museums, but in its cozy and infinitely smaller space, the same rich history and spirit of service tradition of the Bell System in Idaho can be proudly found.

     The Treasure Valley Qwest Pioneers, retirees from Qwest, former Mountain Bell and AT&T operations in Idaho, have volunteered hundreds of hours to create an exhibit that offers center visitors a glimpse of early telephony in the Gem State and nation.

     The majority of these volunteers represent that ‘greatest generation’ remarkable men and women who victoriously served their country during World War II, then returned home to turn their energy and work ethic toward building the telecommunications system that has made today's information super highway and the Internet possible. 

      With their technical background and support, the Weiser center was able to restore the Tower Clock, making the connections between the tower and the clock mechanism case which is housed in the center of the Telephone Pioneer exhibit room on the building’s second floor.  Treasure Valley Telecom Pioneers, Al and Pat Stewart of Boise, worked closely with the Tower Clock committee.

      A dozen Pioneers gathered to spruce up the exhibit room and prepare it for the many visitors expected at the center during the summer months.  Pioneers spent the day cleaning glass and wooden display cases, dusting items on shelves, removing fine dust from the working mechanisms and inside casing of the center’s Tower Clock, scrubbing the hard-wood floor, and labeling exhibit items. They also hung historic pictures and large wall photo galleries and left the room’s glass windows sparkling clean.

       The exhibit features a variety of Western Electric and Bell System telephones and related switching equipment covering nearly 100 years service. A vintage, cherry wood switchboard used by a motel in Preston, Idaho was lovingly restored and given to the center by Telephone Pioneer, Fred Riddle and his wife, Ardene, of Boise. They also provided a wooden telephone booth complete with working lights and folding door along with the three-coin slot pay phone.  The telephones, central office and repair equipment, historical pictures, etc., were also donated and came from central offices and storerooms throughout the state, including Nyssa (Malheur Bell). 

      Costs for the glass display cases were provided by Idaho Chapter 121 of the Qwest Telecom Pioneers.