Historic "IBM Collection" Exhibit Moved from Endicott Museum

Efforts to keep a priceless collection of IBM time clocks, punch card machines and computers in Endicott have been unsuccessful.

A moving crew on Monday started packing hundreds of items that have been on display for about a decade at the Endicott History and Heritage Center on Washington Avenue.

A moving van in front of the Endicott History and Heritage Center on January 8, 2024. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

Endicott considers its to be the "Birthplace of IBM." The historic items included samples of products that were developed by the company and its forerunners.

The museum is operated by the Old Village of Union Historical Society. Ted Warner, president of the organization, said financial challenges prompted the decision to return the "IBM Collection" to the company.

Ted Warner at the entrance to the Endicott History and Heritage Center on January 8, 2024. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

The items that were on display at the Endicott facility originally were assembled by IBM for a museum at what had been its North Street manufacturing complex.

The company loaned the collection to the historical society in 2012. Warner said the group had been losing money over the past couple of years.

The base of an item made by IBM forerunner International Time Recording Co. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

The society now plans to rent out the space on the first floor of its Washington Avenue building while maintaining a collection of items related to the Endicott Johnson Shoe Company on the second floor.

Mary O'Malley-Trumble, IBM Endicott senior location executive, was on hand in the museum as crews prepared to load the historic items into a moving van.

A very early computer that is part of the IBM Collection that was displayed at the Endicott History and Heritage Center. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

IBM spokesperson Christopher Mumma told WNBF News the collection will be carefully stored in a Poughkeepsie facility. He said the company is open to making arrangements to once again allow the items to be displayed in Endicott or nearby.

Six members of the Old Village of Union Historical Society board of directors have resigned Monday to protest the decision to remove the IBM Collection from the Endicott museum.

VIDEO: A final look at the IBM Collection at the Endicott History and Heritage Center on January 8, 2024.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

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