Exhibits
VOA
![](https://voamuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/SPECIAL-ENGLISH.jpg)
WHY DID THE VOA
use SPECIAL ENGLISH?
![83 83](https://voamuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/83.jpg)
why were we called
the zinzinnati liars?
![81 81](https://voamuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/81.jpg)
Walk the coast guard
Courier hallway to
learn about the
world's largest radio
broadcasting ship.
![](https://voamuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/group-4.jpg)
docent led tours provide an amazing understanding about how America's voice changed the world.
![pot of spagetti-1 pot of spagetti-1](https://voamuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/pot-of-spagetti-1.jpg)
what is similar
between operating a
high power broadcast
station and
cooking spaghetti?
about the voa section
when President Roosevelt began to plan for high power radio stations able to reach all parts of the world with information about the United States, he turned to Crosley and his corps of pioneering engineers to make it happen.
Crosley had already constructed and operated WLW at 500,000 watts making it the most powerful in the world. He also operated WLWO, a high-power shortwave station, beaming programming to Europe.
The engineering team was up to the task and built from scratch six 250,000-watt transmitters and 27 antenna arrays capable of reaching millions of listeners in Europe, North and South Africa and South America.
The level of technology innovation that took place in this building beginning in 1943 is as groundbreaking as any now being accomplished in Silicon Valley.
When you first arrive don’t miss watching our award winning documentary video. It summarizes the history and importance of the Voice of America and, more specifically, the Bethany Relay Station, home of the Museum.
The six transmitters were connected to dozens of large antennas spread across a one square mile area. Some of the concrete tower bases can still be seen in the adjacent Butler County Metro Park located at the rear of the Museum. Many people remember seeing these towers as they drove on Interstate 75.
about
Crosley Brothers World Class Innovations
![85 85](https://voamuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/85.jpg)
See the largest
collection of Crosley
Brothers innovations
![86 86](https://voamuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/86.jpg)
learn the secret
behind keeping
food cold
without electricity
![87 87](https://voamuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/87.jpg)
Examine the first
sports car in America
how shortwave radio works
A completely modernized ham shack open Wednesdays 7-9 PM for open shack night.
Licensed hams can stop in and operate and others interested in the hobby can learn about amateur radio.
![114 114](https://voamuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/114.jpg)
visit the modern amateur radio ham shack and LEARN FIRSTHAND
HOW SHORTWAVE RADIO WORKS!
All Things Wireless
SEE HOW WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY EVOLVED OVER TIME.
SEE RADIOS UP CLOSE FROM 1920 TO 2020 (YOU MAY BE SURPRISED).
LEARN WHY A BREADBOARD PLAYED AN IMPORTANT PART IN THE EVOLUTION OF RADIO.
![93 93](https://voamuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/93.jpg)
Review
Art Deco designs
from the Machine Age
![](https://voamuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/91.jpg)
See the amazing
Donna Matheney
Novelty Radio CollectioN
![Breadboard Cabinet-1 Breadboard Cabinet-1](https://voamuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/Breadboard-Cabinet-1.jpg)
WHY WERE BREADBOARDS IMPORTANT?
![](https://voamuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/65.jpg)
SEE NIPPER AND HIS FAMILY
Innovation 100 Room
![Innovation-3 Innovation-3](https://voamuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/Innovation-3.jpg)
See 100 years of innovative marketing
from the jack gray collection
![](https://voamuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/102.jpg)
Discover the design concept of
Form Follows Function
Media Heritage Foundation
Early Cincinnati Broadcast Media
![61 61](https://voamuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/61-1.jpg)
1920s and 1930s WLW
radio broadcast studio
![](https://voamuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/MH-B-150x150.jpg)
LEARN HOW RADIO
CHANGED MODERN CULTURE,
![02 02](https://voamuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/02-1.jpg)
midwestern hayride
![100 100](https://voamuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/100.jpg)
Ruth Lyons Show
![99 99](https://voamuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/99.jpg)
Larry Smith Puppets
![13 13](https://voamuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/13.jpg)
Uncle Al Show
Ham Radio and the R.L. Drake collection
![38 38](https://voamuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/38-1.jpg)
original electronic crowbars and early marconi radio used in nova scotia
![05 05](https://voamuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/05.jpg)
R.L. Drake Collection
![](https://voamuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/HamRadioRoom-2-scaled-357x250.jpg)
EARLY collins ham radio station
![51 51](https://voamuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/51.jpg)