System Source Computer Museum
The System Source Computer Museum, located in Hunt Valley, Maryland, USA, exhibits notable computing devices from ancient times until the present. Over 5,000 objects are on display and many of the computational devices are operational. STEM activities are offered to organized tour groups. Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for students, children, veterans, and first responders. The museum is open weekdays from 9:00am until 6:00pm by appointment. Museum docents are available to lead tours. The National Electronics Museum is in the same building, and admission provides access to both museums.
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (November 2021) |
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 Exterior of System Source, which houses the computer museum. | |
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| Established | 1981 |
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| Location | Hunt Valley, Maryland, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 39°29′10″N 76°39′47″W / 39.48610°N 76.66306°W |
| Website | museum.syssrc.com |
The System Source Computer Museum, located in Hunt Valley, Maryland, USA, exhibits notable computing devices from ancient times until the present.[1] Over 5,000 objects are on display and many of the computational devices are operational. STEM activities are offered to organized tour groups. Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for students, children, veterans, and first responders. The museum is open weekdays from 9:00am until 6:00pm by appointment. Museum docents are available to lead tours. The National Electronics Museum is in the same building, and admission provides access to both museums.
History
[edit]The museum's origins date to 1981 when a Baltimore ComputerLand franchise had computers in inventory that instantly became historic artifacts with the introduction of the IBM Personal Computer.[2]
The museum was incorporated as a non-profit 501(c)(3) in 2018 as the Maryland Technology Museum with the trade name the System Source Computer Museum.[3] In 2021, the museum became the new home of the DigiBarn Computer Museum.
Exhibits
[edit]- Apples: Apple I, Apple II, Apple ///, Apple Lisa and most other Apple products
- Bendix: A Bendix G-15 restored to working order.
- Control Data Corporation: CDC 160 Series
- Cray computers: Cray-1, Cray-2, Cray T90
- DEC computers: PDP-5, PDP-8, LINC[4] PDP-12, VAX
- Computer memory: Delay-line memory Magnetic-core memory
- Kenbak-1: Kenbak-1
- Pre-industrial computers: Abacus, Quipu, Napier's bones, slide rule
- Tic-Tac-Toe and computers: Charles Babbage's research on the game, Relay Tic Tac Toe Machine,[5] Matchbox Educable Noughts and Crosses Engine (MENACE)
- UNIVAC: UNIVAC 490, UNIVAC 418
- Xerox: Xerox Alto[6]
- IBM: Two IBM System/360 Model 20s on long-term loan from a private collection in the UK.[7]
Photos
[edit]-
Museum's main gallery, with many working vintage computers available for use. -
Apple I #10 The Briefcase Apple on display -
Digi-Comp II on display -
PDP-5 -
LINC console -
IBM 7090 console
Video
[edit]-
The Bendix G-15 was restored to working order and demonstrated in December 2025.
STEM programs
[edit]- Hardware Workshop
- Programming a Virtual PET
- Squeak (Etoys Programming)
References
[edit]- ^ "Trip Advisor reviews of the System Source Computer Museum". Trip Advisor. November 15, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
- ^ Sentementes, Gus (August 2, 2010). "Maryland's computer history museum -- courtesy of Bob Roswell". Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on March 3, 2018. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
- "System Source Computer Museum". Atlas Obscura. August 2, 2017. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
- Zaleski, Andrew (April 15, 2013). "System Source computer museum has first-generation Apple computers and more". Technically. Retrieved November 15, 2021. - ^ "Maryland Technology Museum Inc". Charity Navigator. June 15, 2018. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
- ^ Roswell, Bob (Curator) (May 18, 2022). Part 1. Marty's Getting tech! We're Back At The Computer Museum. Where's Marty?.
- ^ "Maryland Technology Museum - Museum Blog".
- ^ Roswell, Bob (Curator) (May 18, 2022). Part 2. Marty's Getting tech! We're Back At The Computer Museum. Where's Marty?.
- ^ "The 360's have a new home!". IBM 360 Model 20 Rescue & Restoration Blog. September 11, 2024.