Learn About The Bells

Explore the life and legacy of Alexander Graham Bell and his extraordinary wife, Mabel Gardiner Hubbard Bell.

Are you interested in the life of one of history's most famous inventors?

You’ve come to the right place for all things Alexander Graham Bell.

Our foundation is dedicated to providing the most accurate, in-depth look at the lives of the Bells. From inventions and entrepreneurial endeavors to humanitarian activities, dive into our curated collection of historical information and explore how the Bells’ spirit of innovation continues to this day.

We’re glad you’re here to explore our website and learn more about the inspiring lives of Alexander Graham Bell and his wife, Mabel Gardiner Hubbard Bell. 

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Alexander Graham Bell

Throughout his life, Bell was driven by a passion for knowledge and a desire to improve the lives of others. His groundbreaking work in communications technology changed the world forever.

Mabel Gardiner Hubbard

Mabel Hubbard Bell was a tireless advocate, encouraging women to educate themselves and effect changes in various areas of society, including health, home industries, women's suffrage, children's labor, and children's education.

Innovation and Inventions

You probably learned in school that Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone. But do you know he created dozens of other things that impacted our society?

"A man, as a general rule, owes very little to what he is born with - a man is what he makes of himself."

—Alexander Graham Bell

Alexander Graham Bell

Alexander Graham Bell Biography

Alexander Graham Bell is best known as the inventor of the telephone, but there was much more to this extraordinary man…

5 Ways Alexander Graham Bell Impacted the Deaf Community

Bell is best known for inventing the telephone, but how much do you know about Alexander Graham Bell's positive impact on the deaf community?

World Hearing Day Marks 175th Birthday of Alexander Graham Bell

Today we celebrate the 15th anniversary of World Hearing Day. But did you know Alexander Graham Bell shares a special connection to this important day?

Mabel Gardiner Hubbard

Mabel Gardiner Hubbard Biography

Mabel Gardiner Hubbard Bell was crucial to Alec's success. Thanks to her wisdom and companionship, this gifted and eccentric man could concentrate on his inventions…

Mabel Bell Documentary

Excerpts from family interviews conducted in Baddeck, August 2017, by Amy DeLouise and Jennifer Schwerin, executive produced by Sara Grosvenor.

Mabel Gardiner Hubbard: 155th Wedding Anniversary

Learn why we continue to celebrate the love and lasting contributions of Alexander Graham Bell and his wife Mabel Gardiner Hubbard.

"When one door closes, another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us."

—Alexander Graham Bell

Innovation and Inventions

Alexander Graham Bell’s Telephone Invention Was Genius

In 1876, Watson plucked a spring in one room, and the sound came through on a receiver in the other. It was a bright twang, and it sounded…

7 Epic Alexander Graham Bell Inventions

Was Bell's only major invention the telephone? Learn more about the other incredible Alexander Graham Bell inventions that affected everything from aviation to medicine.

Alexander Graham Bell Aviation Pioneer: A Fascinating History

Move over, Wright Brothers—this is the story of Alexander Graham Bell, aviation pioneer, and distinguished aerial leader.

“Educate the masses, elevate their standard of intelligence, and you will certainly have a successful nation.”

—Alexander Graham Bell

Museums, Historical Sites, and Associations

Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Washington, DC

The Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is a resource, support network, and advocate for listening, learning, talking, and living independently with hearing loss. Through publications, advocacy, training, scholarships, and financial aid, AG Bell promotes the use of spoken language as well as hearing technology for children with hearing loss. It is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with chapters located throughout the United States and a network of international affiliates.

Alexander Graham Bell Museum Association, Baddeck, Nova Scotia

The Alexander Graham Bell Museum Association (the Association) is a non-profit society that has a cooperating agreement with Parks Canada to operate the Museum Store and Tetra Café at the Museum. This includes a physical store within the Museum and an online store that launched in the Fall of 2018.

The Museum Store supports and continues the mission of the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site (the Museum) by offering a diverse selection of books, jewelry, beautiful gifts, distinctive home décor, children’s art books and toys, and handcrafted items (regional, provincial, national, international) relating to the Museum.

Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site of Canada, Parks Canada, Baddeck, Nova Scotia

On a sprawling stretch of land overlooking Baddeck Bay on the Bras d’Or Lakes, visitors can discover the life and work of a modern-day genius. Here, they can tour the mind of inventor Alexander Graham Bell though the world’s largest collection of mementos, photos, and models. A full-scale replica of the famous Silver Dart, a model HD-4 Hydrofoil craft, Bell’s walking stick, and personal notebook are all on display and available via an extraordinary behind-the-scenes tour. Kids can play games, fly kites, and try out a science experiment.

Bell Homestead National Historic Site

The Bell National Historic Site is the location of the Brantford home where Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone on July 26, 1874. Visitors can see how the Bell family lived and worked, and learn how Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone and follow its evolution to date. Guests can also delve deeply into the Bell Homestead history. There are a variety of activities and special events to enjoy year-round, including tours, the cafe and museum store, educational trips, day camps, birthday parties, drop-in activities, rentals, and more.

Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech, Northampton, MA

Since its founding in 1867, Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech (formerly Clarke School for the Deaf) has prepared children who are deaf or hard of hearing to succeed in mainstream schools and the wider world. In addition to its work with children, the school serves families and adults through a wide range of programs and services. With its extensive staff of experts, physical locations along the Eastern Seaboard, and a robust teleservices program delivering services remotely, they strive to reach people with hearing loss at all stages of life.

National Geographic

On January 27, 1888, the National Geographic Society was founded in Washington, D.C., for “the increase and diffusion of geographical knowledge.” The 33 men who originally met and formed the National Geographic Society were a diverse group of geographers, explorers, teachers, lawyers, cartographers, military officers, and financiers. All shared an interest in scientific and geographical knowledge, as well as an opinion that in a time of discovery, invention, change, and mass communication, Americans were becoming more curious about the world around them.

Nine months after its inception, the Society published its first issue of National Geographic magazine. Readership did not grow, however, until Gilbert H. Grosvenor took over as editor in 1899. In only a few years, Grosvenor boosted circulation from 1,000 to 2 million by discarding the magazine’s format of short, overly technical articles for articles of general interest accompanied by photographs. National Geographic quickly became known for its stunning and pioneering photography, being the first to print natural-color photos of sky, sea and the North and South Poles.

The Society used its revenues from the magazine to sponsor expeditions and research projects that furthered humanity’s understanding of natural phenomena. In this role, the National Geographic Society has been instrumental in making possible some of the great achievements in exploration and science. To date, it has given out more than 1,400 grants, funding that helped Robert Peary journey to the North Pole, Richard Byrd fly over the South Pole, Jacques Cousteau delve into the sea and Jane Goodall observe wild chimpanzees, among many other projects.

Today, the National Geographic Society is one of the world’s largest non-profit scientific and educational institutions. The Society sees itself as a guardian of the planet’s natural resources, and in this capacity, focuses on ways to broaden its reach and educate its readers about the unique relationship that humans have with the earth.

The Volta Laboratory & Bureau, Washington, DC

In 1887, Alexander Graham Bell, inventor and deaf educator, founded the Volta Bureau to serve as a library for deaf people and those researching deafness. Originally housed in his father’s carriage house across the street, by 1893, the Bureau’s work had outgrown the space. Bell commissioned the impressive neoclassical yellow brick and sandstone building at 3417 Volta Place, NW, Washington, DC to be the new headquarters of the Bureau. Bell, who is best known for receiving the first telephone patent in 1876, was also an outstanding figure in early research in deaf education. The building serves as a reminder of Bell’s dedicated work to advance the education of the deaf and sound technology, in general.

We’re the Alexander & Mabel Bell Legacy Foundation.

Our team includes award-winning journalists, researchers, business leaders, educators, inventors, and public servants. All of our articles, artifacts, and programs are expertly curated to provide the most authentic insights into the life and work of AGB.

The Alexander and Mabel Bell Legacy Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to preserving, protecting, and advancing the Bells’ legacy and spirit of Innovation.

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