Salem in Essex County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

Lyceum Hall

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 22, 2017

1. Lyceum Hall Marker

Of Lectures and Lyceums: The Salem Lyceum Society
Salem website entry
Click for more information.

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

In this building on February 12, 1877

Alexander Graham Bell

presented the first public demonstration
of long distance telephone conversations.
Following the demonstration the first
news dispatch sent by telephone originated
here and was received by the Boston Globe.
It was published the following day.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is February 12, 1877.

Location. 42° 31.346′ N, 70° 53.715′ W. Marker is in Salem, Massachusetts, in Essex County. Marker is on Church Street east of Washington Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is mounted at eye level, directly on the front wall of the subject building, just to the right of the main entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 43 Church Street, Salem MA 01970, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The First Meeting House Erected in Salem (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Town House (about 400 feet away); Elizabeth Montgomery as Samantha Stephens (about

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400 feet away); Central Building (about 500 feet away); Major General Stephen Abbott Square (about 500 feet away); The Witch Gaol (about 600 feet away); Birthplace of Brigadier General John Glover (about 600 feet away); Saint Peter's Episcopal Church (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Salem.

Also see . . .
1. In 1877 Alexander Graham Bell made the first long-distance phone call to The Boston Globe. Poynter website entry:
On February 12, 1877, Bell made the first long-distance phone call in history from the Lyceum in Salem to Watson at the Boston Globe in Boston. The phone Bell was using in his demonstration was what he called his 'Long Distance' telephone. It was a wooden box about ten inches-by-ten-by-eight with a hole in the front. The caller would speak and listen through the same hole. Bell leaned close to the box and spoke into the speaking device - loud enough for his Lyceum audience to hear. "Mr. Watson, can you hear me?" (Submitted on March 23, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Alexander Graham Bell. Britannica website entry:
Alexander Graham Bell, inventor who patented the telephone in 1876, lecturing at Salem, Massachusetts (top), while friends in his study at Boston listen to his lecture

Lyceum Hall (<i>wide view; marker visible on wall, just right of main entrance</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 22, 2017

2. Lyceum Hall (wide view; marker visible on wall, just right of main entrance)

via telephone, February 12, 1877. (Submitted on March 23, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 13, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 23, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 313 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 23, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.