Johnson Victrola Museum: A Tribute to Sound Recording History

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Explore the history of sound at the Johnson Victrola Museum in Dover, Delaware, celebrating the legacy of Eldridge Reeves Johnson.

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Johnson Victrola Museum

Discover the legacy of Eldridge Reeves Johnson, founder of the Victor Talking Machine Company, at this Dover museum. Explore the evolution of sound recording through exhibits of phonographs, records, and memorabilia.

A brief summary to Johnson Victrola Museum

375 S New St, Dover, Delaware, 19901, US
Click to display
Click to display

Wednesday 9:30 am-4 pm
Thursday 9:30 am-4 pm
Friday 9:30 am-4 pm
Saturday 9:30 am-4 pm

Local tips

Admission is free, but donations are appreciated to help maintain the museum.
Take time to interact with the vintage phonographs on display.
Ask about Nipper, the dog associated with the Victor trademark.

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Getting There

Walking

If you're in downtown Dover, the Johnson Victrola Museum is an easy walk. From the Old State House on The Green, walk south on State Street, then turn right onto W Water Street. Continue until you reach S New Street, then turn left. The museum is at 375 S New St. This walk takes about 15-20 minutes and offers a view of downtown Dover.
Public Transport

Take the DART First State bus service to the Dover Transit Center. From there, it's about a 15-minute walk to the museum. Head south on S State Street, then turn right onto W Water Street, which becomes S New Street. The museum will be on your left at 375 S New St. Check the DART website for schedules and fares. A one-way bus fare is typically between $3 and $5. Exact change is required.
Car

If driving, navigate to the city center of Dover and then to S New Street. The museum is located at 375 S New St, Dover, DE 19901. Free parking is available in the adjacent parking lot.

Discover more about Johnson Victrola Museum

The Johnson Victrola Museum in Dover, Delaware, celebrates the life and work of Eldridge Reeves Johnson, a Delaware native who founded the Victor Talking Machine Company in 1901. The museum chronicles Johnson's pivotal role in pioneering the sound-recording industry. Exhibits showcase a variety of phonographs, recordings, memorabilia, trademarks, objects, and paintings that highlight Johnson's successful business and the evolution of sound recording. Visitors can explore the innovations that led to the mass production of Victrolas, making music accessible to the public. The museum also tells the story of Nipper, the mixed fox/bull terrier whose image became the international symbol of quality for the Victor Talking Machine Company. The museum offers a glimpse into the early days of the recording industry, with knowledgeable staff often demonstrating the authentic Victor Talking Machines.