Our Stories

Auman TV Museum in Dover, Ohio may be one of the most complete collections of early television sets in the country. 

 

From an early Marconi set with a two-inch screen to a 1939 RCA where the picture was reflected in a mirror, to the futuristic Philco TV’s of the 1950’s.  They are all here and most are in working condition.

 

He also has in his collection Dick Goddard’s first weather boards from WJW-TV, as well as publicity photos from the Gene Carroll Show on WEWS and Academic Challenge.

 

If you remember the days of 7 and 10 inch television sets, with the big oil-filled globe in front to magnify the picture, you will probably find it here.  It’s well worth the trip to Dover to see the collection.

 

Owner Larry Auman has been a television technician for years and started his collection forty years ago.  His museum is open by appointment just about any time, just give him a call first at 330-364-1058. 

 

Auman’s Museum of Radio and Television, 215 N. Tuscarawas Avenue, Dover, Ohio or visit him at: http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/Set/1930/

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I am attaching two pics I thought you might be interested in. 

 

 

One shows Alice Weston at work with a Fashion Coordinator and Instructor from the local John Robert Powers studio in Cleveland.  Her name is Florence Doney, usually called “Pinky” by her friends and sometimes called Mrs. Jim Doney.

 

The other was taken at the 1964 WJW Christmas Party.  I was the program chairman and in a wild moment called Duke Ellington who was staying at the Statler Hotel and had a gig in town that night.  I invited him to our party… just to say hello, and damned if he didn’t show up with his drummer and bass player and do a half hour show for us.  About the time this picture was taken I was saying, “I don’t know how I can think you for this.”  And he said, “Jim, I’m thanking you guys.  Disc Jockeys and TV guys played my records and made me famous.”  What a gentleman!  And what a thrill.  Of course, they made me Program Chairman for the next ten years, but I never topped this. 

Jim Doney