Known for one of the most comprehensive collections of communication technology in the country, the Pavek Museum invites visitors of all ages to interact with the tools, inventions, and ideas that have shaped our digital and analog lives — from early radio to video games, circuits, computers, and more.

This self-guided experience offers a dynamic blend of hands-on exploration and historical storytelling, all rooted in the museum’s mission to connect generations through the intersection of history, art, and technology.

Begin your journey with the Nipper Circuit, the signature interactive tour included with admission. Designed to immerse guests in the evolution of electronic communication, this 16-station experience offers a tactile, audio-visual exploration of how we send, receive, and share information. Along the way, you can:

• Tap your name in Morse Code like a 20th-century telegraph operator
• Play a Theremin and create music using only gestures
• Call a wired telephone to experience how voice transmission has changed
• Light up a city with magnets

These stations are more than nostalgic — they’re bridges between eras, showing how the seeds of today’s technologies were planted decades ago.

While broadcasting remains a key part of the Pavek experience, the museum's scope goes far beyond radio and television. Exhibits also highlight:

• The rise of cellphones and personal communication
• The development of video game consoles and digital storytelling
• The role of electricity and magnetism in powering invention
• Computer history and early computing devices
• Circuitry and electronics repair, helping demystify the hardware behind everyday tools
• The story of Minnesota’s contributions to tech and communication history

Each exhibit deepens your understanding of how electronic communication has influenced — and continues to shape — culture, creativity, and community.

At the heart of the Pavek Museum are the people who made innovation possible. The Minnesota Broadcasters Hall of Fame celebrates the voices that shaped the state’s media landscape, while other exhibits shine a light on local inventors, engineers, and creators who helped advance technology both regionally and globally.

Their stories serve as reminders that communication is as much about human ingenuity as it is about hardware.

The Pavek Museum isn’t just a place to look — it’s a place to do. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning with family, consider enhancing your visit with one of the museum’s many hands-on programs. These signature events embody the museum’s goal of inspiring innovation through dynamic experiences, all while preserving the past.

Connecting Conversations A rotating lecture series featuring professionals from across the electronic communication spectrum

Crash Course Electronics Repair A pay-what-you-can class that teaches basic skills like soldering and how to read a schematic

First Saturday Guided Tour A deep dive into the museum’s most unique artifacts, featuring special demonstrations and included with the cost of admission

Havoc at the Pavek A Halloween-themed event full of spooky S.T.E.A.M. fun for the whole family

Pavek After Dark A live radio play performance by members of the Minnesota Broadcasters Hall of Fame, featuring a silent auction benefiting the museum, complete with food and beverages

S.T.E.A.M. Saturdays A hands-on exploration of science, technology, engineering, art, and math for all ages

Sonic Storytelling: Intro to Foley A learning opportunity where students create sound effects like a professional Foley artist

The Pavek Museum of Electronic Communication is more than a museum. It’s a community connector, an educational playground, and a living archive that celebrates the many ways humans connect, collaborate, and create.

Whether you’re a tech lover, a history enthusiast, a student, or a parent looking for a meaningful outing, you’ll find something that sparks your interest — and your imagination.

As the museum continues to grow into its vision as a national leader in electronic communication, one thing remains constant: the commitment to inspiring lifelong curiosity through the stories and science that define our connected world.

Follow the Pavek Museum on Facebook and Instagram to stay updated on upcoming exhibits and events. Plan your visit today and experience the future through the lens of the past.

This blog post is sponsored by the Pavek Museum of Electronic Communication