Southern Appalachian Radio Museum

The only radio museum open to the public in North Carolina, the Southern Appalachian Radio Museum in Asheville, NC, was created by a group of radio collectors and radio amateurs who decided to make their dream happen...a museum that would trace the history of radio from the early days of spark gap transmitters to recent technology. 

Thousands of radios were built in the Southern Appalachian mountains that provided communication worldwide, both in homes and at remote outposts.  Radios such as Atwater-Kent, Crosley, Silvertone and many others brought hope during the Depression as well.  The museum displays radios from the early 1900's to the 1960's. 

Visitors have the opportunity to listen to and tune early radios, bringing back memories of programs such as The Lone Ranger, championship fights and baseball games, opera and symphony concerts.  Children have the opportunity to see and listen to "grampa's radio."  Collectors and radio amateurs will find a remarkable array of artifacts from radio history in this one-room museum.

The museum also includes an operating amateur radio station, W4AFM, and volunteers teach amateur radio at the A-B Technical Community College, where the museum is located. 

Hours of Operation

Friday 1 - 3 p.m. Closed in December and January.  Because of its size, the museum can safely accommodate no more than 10 visitors at a time.  Groups are requested to call ahead for a tour.

Admission Fees

None.  (For tours on days when the museum is not open, a $5 donation by adults will be appreciated for guided tours).

Location

The Southern Appalachian Radio Museum is located in the Elm Building on the campus of A-B Technical Community College in Asheville, NC.  It is approximately 0.9 mile from Biltmore Avenue. Just after passing the historic Smith-McDowell home, take a right, go several hundred feet and park on the left in a white space. Enter the Elm building, take the elevator up to room 315 (it is easier to find parking just before the hour as students leave).

Southern Appalachian Radio Museum 
340 Victoria Road, Elm Building Room 315
Asheville, NC, 28801                                                                      
828-298-1847, 828-253-1192 or 828-299-1276
www.saradiomuseum.org