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HOURS : Saturdays 10AM - 5:00PM, Sundays Noon - 4:00PM; Wednesdays & Thursdays 1:00PM-5:00PM; Other times by appointment.
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Rhode Island Computer Museum
Rhode Island Computer Museum
The past causes the present, and so the future….
Why do we save old Computers?
Computer History helps us understand change and how the society we live in came to be.
Three reasons to save old computers and study Computer History:
We learn from the past! By studying computers of the past, you will learn more about what makes new computers work the way they do.
History is the study of change and saving old computers allows us to understand change. The world is constantly changing, so understanding the role of change in society helps you interpret the world in its current state. Few things in the modern world change as quickly as computer technology.
Saving old computers allows us to read information in its original format and share past stories saved in different electronic formats.
New Year Game Night 2025!
Jan 4th, 6:00PM - 9:00PM
Rhode Island Computer Museum’s (RICM) is hosting A 2025 Game Night January 4, 2025 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Adults who grew up during the golden age of video games should be prepared to take a trip down memory lane.
Open Games on at 6 PM / Games off at 9 PM / Suggested Donation $10
Our "Computer Crypt" is jam-packed with amazing technological artifacts, generously donated and maintained by Ron Fraser of Westborough MA. We are dedicated to bringing these bits and bytes of history to light for people. You can contact us to schedule a tour, and we also loan our artifacts to filmmakers. You can see our vintage tech in "Hidden Figures," "Maniac," "Halt and Catch Fire," "The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry", and many other productions.
Our crypt's artifacts inspire artists, as well as vintage tech buffs. You'll find pieces from an art project by writer/artist Kimberly Elliott on this site, and in the slideshow above you'll see three fabulous little sculptures of birds by Ann Smith (find her on etsy). Ann spends her days making little robot-like sculptures from broken electronics and machine parts (including some from the recycling bins of our Computer Crypt!). Her sculptures are sold in galleries and museums throughout the U.S., and are used as illustrations for publications. She has received local and international press from Wired, Make Magazine, PBS Boston, DPI Magazine in Taiwan, Architectural Digest (Germany), and many others.
Kind Words for RICM from "Donna Clark"
Kind Words for RICM from "Donna Clark"
We're big fans of actress Kerry Bishé from "Halt and Catch Fire," and it turns out the feeling is mutual! Thanks, Kerry!
Computer History Stories
Computer History Stories
Check out some of the stories behind the items in our Computer Crypt and collections in Computer History Stories From Around the States.
Learning Lab Tours
Learning Lab Tours
CALL US: (401) 741-6997
Geek out at our Learning Lab! Visit the Learning Lab website to see what's happening and learn about our workshops. Call us or e-mail us if you want to join our community of coders, makers, and tinkerers as a student, volunteer, or curious explorer of all things tech.
(Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress)
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