The New England Wireless and Steam Museum

The New England Wireless and Steam Museum The New England Wireless and Steam Museum, Dedicated to preserving the beginnings of radio and steam power. It is a 501(c)(3) non-profit institution.

The museum is run by volunteers and supported by your generous financial help. The New England Wireless and Steam Museum was founded in 1960 and is dedicated to preserving the beginnings of radio and steam power. The museum has one of the largest displays of operational stationary steam engines, including the only George H. Corliss engine running under steam. Rhode Island was a technology center in the 19th century so many of the steam engines that are on display were manufactured locally. The Museum has a large collection of pre-1950 wireless equipment, including Walter Massie's wireless telegraph station and equipment. The Massie station was originally located in Point Judith and was moved to the museum in 1983. The 1822 Meeting Hall was moved to the museum in 1972. The building has been completely restored and features an antique reed organ and an early Hammond electric organ. This charming hall can be rented for various functions, and will seat 110. There is a large grass area to the side of the meeting hall suitable for a receiption tent.

The 1822 Meeting Hall building was moved to the Museum's grounds in 1972. A short wall was constructed between the build...
07/24/2026

The 1822 Meeting Hall building was moved to the Museum's grounds in 1972. A short wall was constructed between the building and it's foundation to make room below the building. Unfortunately the 54 year old windows and siding deteriorated significantly, while the 200 year old windows are still OK. Yesterday Don, Jeff, Mike, and Mike of the Thursday crew removed the siding and installed the first of the new windows. A kind donor covered the cost of the windows and new clapboards.

We found this very large vacuum tube in the Museum's collection today. It is about 14" long, very heavy, and made from a...
07/16/2026

We found this very large vacuum tube in the Museum's collection today. It is about 14" long, very heavy, and made from amber colored glass. Let us know if you have any idea what it is.

Lexi mowed the grass and the field on Thursday in preparation for the Tune-Up radio event tomorrow.
07/10/2026

Lexi mowed the grass and the field on Thursday in preparation for the Tune-Up radio event tomorrow.

07/02/2026

The Museum will be closed on the 4th of July so our volunteers can celebrate the holiday.

Ken & Mike had a table at the Richmond, RI Fairgrounds during the town's Semiquincentennial Field Day. Visitors were sur...
06/17/2026

Ken & Mike had a table at the Richmond, RI Fairgrounds during the town's Semiquincentennial Field Day. Visitors were surprised that a radio that was more than 100 years old could still receive modern AM stations. We will also have a table at the The Washington County Fair in Richmond, RI too.

Come join us at Wheels and Wireless next weekend!
06/06/2026

Come join us at Wheels and Wireless next weekend!

This is another image from the Almy Water-Tube Boiler Company collection at the museum. The back & white glass plate neg...
06/05/2026

This is another image from the Almy Water-Tube Boiler Company collection at the museum. The back & white glass plate negative was digitized and then enhanced and colorized with an AI tool. This photo was taken looking south on Allens Ave. in Providence, RI about 1903. This area is to the east of Rhode Island Hospital where road salt is stored now. It is interesting that there is no railroad name on the locomotive, but the flat cars holding the Almy boilers are probably owned by the New York, New Haven & Hartford railroad. This locomotive was probably made by the Rhode Island Locomotive Works (ALCO) and looks like engine #4 of the Narragansett Pier Railroad, engines of the Old Colony and Newport Railroad, and engine #159 of the Boston & Maine Railroad.

05/30/2026

Come on by for our first Saturday opening for the season. Today 9-3

Address

1300 Frenchtown Road
East Greenwich, RI
02818

Opening Hours

Thursday 9am - 12pm
Saturday 9am - 3pm

Telephone

+14018850545

Website

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