The 150th Anniversary of the First Long Distance Phone Call

Join the County of Brant and community partners — including the Paris Museum, Bell Homestead, and the Brant Museum and Archives — for a momentous celebration of the 150th anniversary of the world’s first true long-distance phone call in downtown Paris!

🗺️ Location: Downtown Paris Promenade, a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly space designed for gathering, relaxing, and experiencing the heart of downtown in a whole new way.

This summer, the promenade will be buzzing with:

• 🖼️ Historical exhibits and displays
• 🚶‍♂️ Guided tours presented by the Paris Museum
• 🎮 Hands-on games and activities for the whole family
• 📖 Stories from the site of one of the most significant moments in telecommunications history

Did you know? The groundbreaking long-distance call took place between Brantford and Paris on August 10, 1876, when Alexander Graham Bell utilized telegraph lines to make a call from Brantford to Robert White’s Boot and Shoe Store in downtown Paris. The call traveled an impressive distance of 13 km, with signal enhancements through the telegraph office in Toronto.

🕰️ This celebration is part of Historic Places Days, showcasing the stories and places that matter to us over time. The theme this year, Communication Through Place and Time, invites exploration of how ideas and stories have connected generations, from oral traditions and handwritten letters to telephonics and digital media.

Step back in time with us and experience this pivotal moment in communications history!

🔗 Learn more: Historic Places Days Event

🔗 Ticket Details: Event on Facebook