System Source Computer Museum
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (November 2021) |
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| Established | 1981 |
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| Location | Hunt Valley, Maryland, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 39°29′10″N 76°39′47″W / 39.48610°N 76.66306°W |
| Website | museum |
The System Source Computer Museum, located in Hunt Valley, Maryland, USA, exhibits notable computing devices from ancient times until the present.[1] Over 5,000 objects are on display and many of the computation devices are operational. STEM activities are offered to organized tour groups. Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for students, children, veterans, and first responders. The museum is open weekdays from 9:00am until 6:00pm by appointment. Museum docents are available to lead tours.
History
[edit]The museum's origins date to 1981 when a Baltimore ComputerLand franchise had computers in inventory that instantly became historic artifacts with the introduction of the IBM Personal Computer.[2]
The museum was incorporated as a non-profit 501(c)(3) in 2018 as the Maryland Technology Museum with the trade name the System Source Computer Museum.[3] In 2021, the museum became the new home of the DigiBarn Computer Museum.
Exhibits
[edit]
- Apples: Apple 1, Apple II, Apple ///, Apple Lisa and most other Apple products
- Cray computers: Cray-1, Cray-2, Cray T90
- DEC computers: PDP-5, PDP-8, LINC[4] PDP-12, VAX
- Computer memory: Delay-line memory Magnetic-core memory
- Pre-industrial computers: Abacus, Quipu, Napier's bones, slide rule
- Tic-Tac-Toe and computers: Charles Babbage's research on the game, Relay Tic Tac Toe Machine,[5] Matchbox Educable Noughts and Crosses Engine (MENACE)
- UNIVAC: UNIVAC 490, UNIVAC 418
- Xerox: Xerox Alto[6]
- IBM: Two IBM System/360 Model 20s on long-term loan from a private collection in the UK.[7]
STEM programs
[edit]- Hardware Workshop
- Programming a Virtual PET
- Squeak (Etoys Programming)
References
[edit]- ^ "Trip Advisor reviews of the System Source Computer Museum". Trip Advisor. November 15, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
- ^ Sentementes, Gus (August 2, 2010). "Maryland's computer history museum -- courtesy of Bob Roswell". Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on March 3, 2018. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
- "System Source Computer Museum". Atlas Obscura. August 2, 2017. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
- Zaleski, Andrew (April 15, 2013). "System Source computer museum has first-generation Apple computers and more". Technically. Retrieved November 15, 2021. - ^ "Maryland Technology Museum Inc". Charity Navigator. June 15, 2018. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
- ^ Roswell, Bob (Curator) (May 18, 2022). Part 1. Marty's Getting tech! We're Back At The Computer Museum. Where's Marty?.
- ^ "Maryland Technology Museum - Museum Blog".
- ^ Roswell, Bob (Curator) (May 18, 2022). Part 2. Marty's Getting tech! We're Back At The Computer Museum. Where's Marty?.
- ^ "The 360's have a new home!". IBM 360 Model 20 Rescue & Restoration Blog. September 11, 2024.