SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention — Attraction in Bellingham

The SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention is a truly electrifying experience, offering a fascinating journey through the history of electricity and its impact on our world. It stands out for its incredible collection of historic and unique items, including one of only two original Edison lightbulbs in the world and the phone used in the first transcontinental call. The museum is a treasure trove of rare artifacts, from early scientific apparatus and radio broadcasting technology to a working 1929 Theremin. Beyond its impressive collection, SPARK shines with its fantastic educational approach. It's a place where families can learn and be inspired together, with a focus on hands-on, interactive learning. Visitors can explore a variety of exhibits at their own pace, engaging with the science of electricity through interactive displays like the Morse code keyboard and a Van de Graaff generator. For younger visitors and the "young at heart," the SPARK Activity Center provides a dedicated space for creative exploration with building blocks, magnets, and other hands-on activities. The highlight for many is the "MegaZapper Electrical Show." This live demonstration is a must-see, recreating historic electrical experiments with theatrical flair. Featuring one of the largest Tesla coils in the country and a "Cage of Doom," the show is an awe-inspiring spectacle that makes science and history come alive. SPARK Museum successfully blends entertainment and education, making it a "must-do" experience for the...

This museum was fascinating. We started with the "mega zapper" show which was entertaining and educational. I stood inside a faraday cage and was stuck by lightning from a million volt Tesla coil. It was pretty cool.

The rest of the place focuses on early electricity discovery and experiments, and early electrical communication (telegraph, phonograph, telephone, radio, and television). Their collection is impressive and includes some very exclusive items including one of the original lightbulbs Thomas Edison used in his initial sales pitch display.

They have numerous hands on, interactive exhibits, as well as some docent led demonstrations that our family found very interesting. A docent was also on hand to explain the displays and provide entertaining additional information and stories.

While the museum is fairly small, it is laid out well and doesn't feel cramped, in spite of the density of exhibits. They have laid it out very well. Our family is really into museums, science, and history, and we spent about five hours in the museum before we were satisfied that we had seen everything we wanted to. I suspect that most families will want to spend more like 2 hours there.

Overall the experience was great, and I would recommend it to others who have an interest in the history of electricity and...

Entertaining, exciting, lots of humor, dramatic, unbelievably hospitable! Honestly, one of the best experiences I've had at a museum and I don't know what else could have been done to take care of us. They hosted us as a private party and I cannot rave enough about how welcomed and appreciated we felt. The staff are phenomenal! In a world where service and hospitality aren't so common, they went above and beyond.

The host of the electrifying show was amazing. He told such an interesting and engaging story of history and science. His humor was so dry that it was entertaining and suspenseful all at once. And somehow, he was able to convey the magnitude that electricity and radio has impacted our lives. I was fortunate enough to win the raffle to go into the giant bird cage in the electrical storm and it was very exciting! There were several opportunities for people in the crowd to participate.

The collection was vast and impressive! I'll definitely come back with friends and their kids so they can experience the wonder.

On a side note - it is also very refreshing to see a local business go through these Google comments and respond professionally. It just shows that they care about making a great experience and...