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Museums #5 in Gangneung

Chamsori Gramophone Museum and Edison Science Museum

4.4 · 1,781 reviews
Nostalgic and meticulously curated.
Chamsori Gramophone Museum and Edison Science Museum, 393 Gyeongpo-ro, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do, South Korea
Interesting facts
1

The collection contains over 4,500 gramophones and 150,000 music records.

2

It holds one of the original 3,500 light bulbs produced by Edison in 1879.

3

The founder personally traveled to over 60 countries to acquire the artifacts.

4

The museum houses early Edison phonographs that still function and are demonstrated during guided tours.

5

The architecture of the museum building is designed to resemble a gramophone horn when viewed from certain angles.

6

It contains the world’s first television model produced by Baird.

7

The collection includes rare early sound-recording cylinders that predate the flat disc record.

8

Several exhibits feature prototypes that were never mass-produced, highlighting Edison's iterative design process.

Overview

The Chamsori Gramophone Museum and Edison Science Museum houses one of the world's largest private collections of gramophones and Thomas Edison inventions. The museum is divided into four distinct halls, including the Edison Music Museum, the Edison Science Museum, and the Edison Invention Museum. It features rare items such as the first generation of Edison's light bulbs and early phonographs. Visitors can observe thousands of authentic musical artifacts, including music boxes and early radio receivers, gathered from over 60 countries. The facility emphasizes the evolution of sound recording technology from the late 19th century through the mid-20th century. It is located overlooking Gyeongpo Lake in Gangneung. The private collection was established by Son Sung-mok, who spent decades scouring global auctions to curate these specific displays.

Photo spot

The main exhibition hall, which features floor-to-ceiling displays of antique gramophones and gold-plated Edison artifacts.

Insider tips

Listen closely to the guided demonstrations, as the staff often plays original 100-year-old recordings on functioning machines.

Check the museum's schedule for specific English-language tour availability.

Bring a camera, as the sheer density of vintage equipment offers unique historical photography opportunities.

What to avoid

Attempting to rush through the exhibits; the museum’s value lies in the technical detail provided by the guided walkthroughs.

Good to know

Typically closed on Tuesdays for maintenance and staff training.

Etiquette

Maintain a quiet volume within the gallery halls, do not touch the delicate historical artifacts, and follow all signage regarding flash photography.

Plan your visit
Typical visit
1.5-2 hours
Best time to visit
Weekday afternoons to avoid weekend crowds and ensure a better chance for personal interaction with museum guides.
Address
Chamsori Gramophone Museum and Edison Science Museum, 393 Gyeongpo-ro, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do, South Korea
37.798, 128.897
Get directions
Details
Key exhibitsOriginal 1879 Edison light bulbs, early phonographs, and rare musical cylinders.
Collection depthOver 4,500 gramophones and 150,000 records sourced globally.

Frequently asked

Plan for about 1.5-2 hours to see the highlights.

The best time to visit is Weekday afternoons to avoid weekend crowds and ensure a better chance for personal interaction with museum guides..

The main exhibition hall, which features floor-to-ceiling displays of antique gramophones and gold-plated Edison artifacts.

Close by you'll find Gyeongpo Beach, Ojukheon, Gyeongpo Lake Plaza.