Johnson Victrola Museum — Attraction in Dover

A quirky, fascinating small museum in Dover DE. After Edison’s primary patents on the phonograph expired, Eldridge Johnson teamed with Emile Berliner to create what would become the Victor Victrola company that Johnson would eventually sell to David Sarnoff’s RCA for $150m right before the depression hit. An incredible story of invention and entrepreneurship.

And they have a collection of 14,000 78’s published between 1901 and the early 1930’s, primarily on shellac!

They owned the image of “Nipper” the dog (“His Master‘s Voice“) that they sold to RCA and became that company’s familiar logo.

Rob who explained the history of the museum to us is as knowledgeable as anyone you’ll ever meet on his subject matter expertise. A terrific guide and host. The only disappointment was when he told us Delaware has no museum gift shops…we wanted a fridge...

I wasn't planning to stop here on my travels, but I am glad that I did. This can be found a few streets past The Green.

The collection is extensive and showcases the history from the first beginnings of the Victrola. The tour guide was extremely knowledgable and even played the original records on some of those Victrolas. It was amazing that the sound was still as good as the day it was created.

Ask about 'Nipper', the dog that is showcased with the Victrola. It is a wonderful story.

I didn't get a chance to go upstairs to see the wonderment of viewing more due to time. If time permits for you, the make sure to head up...

It’s not so well known outside the area, but the man who created the phonograph machine that would go on to become the world-famous Victrola was a Delaware native.

The Johnson Victrola Museum is located in Dover and houses one of the region’s most complete collections of original phonographs made by E.R. Johnson. They range from the 1890s to nearly the 1930s.

They’re impressive pieces of machinery, especially by the standards of the day. Now, many of them are exceedingly rare and priceless.

The museum is free to visit, but there’s a donation box by the door. Most visitors choose to leave a few bucks per person to help...