About the AHTS

The Australian Historical Telephone Society (AHTS) aims to foster interest in the hobby of historic telephones and thereby preserve an important and unique part of Australia's, and the world's, heritage. Communications are an integral part of everyday life and their development includes remarkable technical achievement, often represented in attractive and highly prized pieces of technology.

The society was founded in 1976, and has since grown to about 170 active members in more than 10 countries including Canada, Germany, Italy, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom and the United States. Over half of our members live in or about Melbourne, Australia, where the organizational centre of the society resides.

The society publishes a bimonthly newsletter which is circulated to all members. The newsletter covers a wide range of topics including technical articles, member contributions, and announcements of Society events. In addition to the high quality of articles, free advertising space is provided to members to enable the buying, selling, or swapping of goods and services related to historic telephones. The editor is always keen to receive suitable articles for publication, and can be readily contacted by e-mail or paper mail.

In addition to the newsletter, society members meet at the lively bimonthly meetings. Nonmembers are welcome at these meetings, and it is a good way to experience what the society is about. Periodically equipment auctions are held at these meetings, though only financial members can bid.

Additional activities of the society include the organizing of a show, site visits and social outings, bulk buys of specialty items (including publications), the maintenance of a library, and working towards the establishment of a permanent Australian telecommunications museum.

Image from the 2008 show

For more information see the AHTS FAQ.