Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting – West Chester, Ohio - Atlas Obscura

Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting

The former broadcast site has been reimagined as a museum about the medium. 

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The former Voice of America broadcast site at Bethany Station is now a museum. It covers the history and role of Voice of America, as well as the history of broadcast and radio itself.

Tucked into the former equipment bays are row upon row of early radio examples. You’ll spot everything from early broadcast equipment to novelty radios from the ’70s.

From 1944 to 1994, the site was used to broadcast news and information to Europe and North Africa. It was originally run by the Office of War Information. Adolf Hitler complained after a Cincinnati broadcaster impersonated him.

In 1963, the Voice of America took direct control of the broadcast facility. Using the expertise of the local Crosley Broadcasting Corporation’s engineers, enormous 250-kilowatt transmitters were built.

Although the towers were torn down in 1998, the Art Deco broadcast building remains, and houses the Amateur Radio Association, Media Heritage, and the Gray History of Wireless collections call the facility home.

Know Before You Go

The entrance is on Tylersville Road. There is no other entrance from the VOA Park. The museum is only open on weekends. You can take a tour with a guide or wander the halls at your own pace.

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January 9, 2020

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