International Marconi Day

Celebrating East Kent’s links with the early history of radio
The Maison Dieu is one of 56 venues around the world taking part in International Marconi Day, celebrating east Kent’s links with the early history of radio, and the legacy of inventor Guglielmo Marconi (25 April 1874 – 20 July 1937), renowned for his pioneering work in wireless communication.

A free, family-friendly drop‑in event will take place on Saturday 25 April from 10am to 3pm, offering a range of technology‑themed activities for all ages.

Amateur radio clubs from across the district will commemorate the early days of radio and wireless communication centred on Dover’s historic Maison Dieu, where representatives from the Marconi company demonstrated their work in 1899.

Enthusiasts from Dover Amateur Radio Club will transmit across the Channel and link with French partners in Wimereux at 12.30pm, recreating the two‑way cross‑Channel message sent from the Maison Dieu in 1899.

Dover district’s historical links to Marconi include:

The world’s first ship‑to‑shore radio transmission, made from the East Goodwin Lightship to South Foreland Lighthouse in December 1898.
The first ever international wireless signal, sent from Wimereux in France to South Foreland Lighthouse in March 1899.
The Marconi Company addressing the British Association for the Advancement of Science at the Maison Dieu in September 1899, demonstrating its innovation by transmitting a message to Boulogne.
Marconi’s membership of Dover’s Royal Cinque Ports Yacht Club.
Although the main event is based at Dover’s Maison Dieu, there will also be activities at South Foreland Lighthouse and Dover’s Market Square.

Visitors will be able to:

Discover Dover’s links with the birth of radio.
Chat to people from around the world.
Send a message in Morse code.
Send semaphore flag signals across the gallery.
Enjoy humorous and dark tales.
Recreate the 1899 cross‑Channel message with radio friends in France.
Learn about Kent’s Marconi links, including at South Foreland Lighthouse.
Create and colour their own naval signal flags.
There will also be opportunities to explore many other forms of communication, from the Shutter Telegraph and maritime signalling to Morse code, short‑wave radio and satellite transmissions.

Volunteers from Deal’s Timeball Tower Museum will explain the optical Shutter Telegraph system, and representatives from Kent Downs National Landscape will share information about the cross‑Channel Geopark Transmanche.

Other international venues taking part in International Marconi Day include:

Port Stanley, Falkland Islands
Hornsby, New South Wales, Australia
Signal Hill, Newfoundland, Canada
Castel Gandolfo, Rome
New Jersey, USA
The Maison Dieu is open to the public daily. On the same weekend (25 and 26 April) visitors can gain free access to the Mayor’s Parlour (10am to 4pm) including the bedrooms, as part of the Mayor’s Parlour Open Days in partnership with The Landmark Trust. Advance booking is recommended. See www.maisondieudover.org.uk