Telegraph Messengers at the Central Telegraph Station, 1917. 

During the years 1923-1991 the address of 37, Kobmagergade buzzed with life. The central telegraph station - the centre of the fastest electric communications of the changing times - was situated here: telegrams, telephony, broadcasting, teleprinter messages, picture telegrams, and telex to and from home and abroad.

The operations of the central telegraph started in 1854 with Kobenhavns Telegrafstation [Copenhagen Telegraph Station] in St.Helliggeiststraede, the present Valkendorfsgade. Already two years later the offices had become too small for the purpose and the station was moved to the former royal porcelain factory in 50, Kobmagergade. These premises also became too small, and in 1867 the station was moved to the first floor of the Post Yard itself, situated in 33, Kobmagergade.

In 1893 telephony was introduced as a new branch of service, and the 20th century soon proved to be that of telecommunications: Room was always scarce, even in the large post yard complex comprising the buildings in 35 and 37, Kobmagergade, on the corner of Lovstraede. At the opening of the central post building in Tietgensgade in 1912 many of the branches of service were moved there providing enough space for the State Telegraph Service to manage through the overwhelming amount of communications of World War I which continued to increase drastically after the war.

In 1916 the Post Service instigated a large refurbishment of the premises towards Kobmagergade, and in 1918 the Telegraph Service bought the property in 5, Lovstraede implicating it in the project. The old buildings in 35 and 37, Kobmagergade were demolished and replaced by the present building by architect Andreas Clemmensen. In 1922 the new telegraph and telephone offices came into use, and the Central Telegraph Station was inaugurated the year after. A four-storey building was erected between Lovstraede and Valkendorfsgade during the subsequent years providing room for the brand new broadcasting service as well.

A telex network with teleprinter connections via the Central Telegraph Station was established in 1940 and together with the increase in foreign telephony after World War II this led to an explosive increase in communication which demanded more space. As a result the broadcasting service got its own headquarters in Radiohuset [The Radio House] in Rosenorns Allé already in 1945, and the State Telephone Office - during the war renamed Rigstelefonkontoret [The Trunk Exchange Office] - was moved to the new telephone house in Borups Allé in 1959.

Since the 1970's fully automatic telephony, telefax, personal computers, and internet have made the Danes more and more "independent" and, consequently, many tasks of e.g. the State Telegraph Service have been closed down. In 1991 the telecommunications' services ceased operations in Kobmagergade. The Telegraph Service became part of Tele Danmark (today TDC A/S) and contemporary telecommunications services are today offered from other addresses.

Since October 1998 the PTT Museum has again attracted a crowd of people to the old centre of fast communication of the capital: The Central Telegraph Station in 37, Kobmagergade.

The exhibition can be seen in Café Hovedtelegrafen until 13th June 2005.