#Exhibit of the Month

One of the great technical achievements that revolutionized the idea of time and space, opening a new era in the history of communication, is telegraphy. It is based on the transmission of electrical signals through a cable over long distances, allowing people to communicate instantly. The telegraph spread very quickly and a network of wires stretched around the world.

In 1837, the American painter and physicist Samuel Morse invented the first electromagnetic device for telegraphy, patented in 1840. To send messages by wire, Morse developed in 1838 a simple code of dots and dashes, which represented the letters of the alphabet, known as "Morse code ".

Both Morse code and the telegraph machine were improved over time, with the telegraph becoming the most widespread system of communication and information transmission for more than a century, until the advent of the Internet. The telegraph system consisted of a series of stations repeaters along the transmission line route. Each station had an operator who received and transmitted messages by telegraph. The Morse machine transmitted about 25 words per minute, which were recorded in code on a paper tape. The operator in charge of transmitting the message would decode it and write it on paper using a special typewriter.

In Bessarabia, the telegraph entered in 1860: on April 8, the Bender telegraph station began its activity, and on April 24, the one in Chisinau, following the construction of the first Odesa-Chisinau-Leova telegraph line. Currently, telegraph services have been discontinued. The only ones who still use coded communication are radio amateurs.

The Morse telegraph machine shown comes from the Osinoostrovsky electrotechnical plant, Soviet Union, and dates back to 1934. The exhibit was restored by Mihail Culașco.

Virtual Tour

Events Archive

Commemoration of Maria Cebotari (on her 113th birthday) at the National Museum of History of Moldova

February 10-12, 2023

Between February 10-12, 2023, a series of activities were organized at the National Museum of History of Moldova, devoted to the commemoration of Maria Cebotari, 113 years after her birth.

On February 10, in the Blue Hall, in a very special atmosphere, the death mask of Maria Cebotari was handed over by her son Fritz Curzon and inaugurated as part of the permanent exhibition of NMHM. In addition, Mr Curzon provided NMHM, unique photographs, books and personal effects of the famous soprano - items of inestimable value.

As a sign of great gratitude, the General Director of NMHM, dr. hab. Eugen Sava, awarded Mr. Fritz Curzon and Mrs. Rosemarie Killius Diplomas of Honor from the National Museum of History of Moldova.

Also, during this event, was launched the monographs "Maria Cebotari: I live to sing" by Dr. Rosemarie Killius and "The Art of Maria Cebotari: the path to Richard Strauss" by Dr. Serghei Pilipețchi. The day's program was concluded by viewing the documentary film "Aria" by V. Druc, 2005.

On February 11 and 12, the program continued at the "Clio" Cinematheque, where the visiting public watched films with Maria Cebotari: "Girls in White" by V. Ianson, 1936; "Only for you" by C. Gallone, 1937; "Aria" by V. Druc, 2005; "Butterfly's Dream" by C. Gallone, 1939; "Odessa in flames" by C. Gallone, 1942.

The National Museum of History of Moldova offer special thanks to Mr. Fritz Curzon for his generous gesture, which constitutes a significant contribution to the enrichment of the national historical heritage, and last but not least, to the visiting public who were with us in these beautiful moments!