At the Kinney Pioneer Museum, history and technology coexist, bridging the past and present to create a memorable visitor experience.
It’s where you can marvel at a blacksmith’s forge, sit in a one-room schoolhouse, or press cider from apples with a machine that predates World War I. But even in a world of nostalgia, you need modern solutions.
Sometimes, those solutions are as basic as enabling people to pay with a debit card. Cash doesn’t rule everything around us anymore. Ask anyone under 40 who might visit your event or business.
Friction Destroys Good Intentions
Without digital payments, Kinney Pioneer Museum faced a problem that was quietly eroding its customer experience.
Imagine you show up at the museum for its flagship Apple Cider Days event. You’re excited. You smell the donuts, hear the sound of crushed apples, and you’re ready to buy a piece of history. But, you forgot cash. Now, you’re stuck in an awkward loop of regret. Should you leave and find an ATM? Ask a friend if they have cash and Venmo them? Or just give up and go home? This was a real issue.
The museum risked losing sales and facing frustrated customers. The inability to accept digital payments – especially at outdoor events – was a key barrier to growth.
“More and more people are using their debit cards or other electronic means to pay,” said Kinney Pioneer Museum Director Adisyn Erdman. “We had people tell us, ‘Who carries cash nowadays?'”
This is what the Kinney Pioneer Museum was up against. And this is where a tiny, almost invisible intervention – outdoor WiFi – changed everything.
The Invisible Upgrade That Made All the Difference
Adding outdoor WiFi was an upgrade and a psychological breakthrough. Erdman said they used the WiFi to power their Square credit card machine. This allowed the museum’s greeters to accept payments at the gate. No cash? No problem.
The perceived hassle of “Will they take my card?” disappeared. As a result of Erdman’s event planning, attendance at Apple Cider & Donut Day surged in 2024, hitting a post-pandemic visitors record.
What’s more, the addition of WiFi created a halo effect. Suddenly, the museum didn’t just feel like a place to explore the past. It felt relevant, modern, and frictionless. Employees connected to the network when they reached the property’s gates. Customers could swipe their cards. Everything and everyone was connecting to the network and history.
This seemingly minor change was powerful. It removed a small barrier to unlock big changes. By making it easier to accept payments, the museum increased attendance and subtly reshaped how people felt about visiting. Visitors walked away entertained and delighted by how simple everything was. That feeling is priceless.
Delivering Harmony
CLtel was behind the WiFi installation. The team of Kent Beatty and Brandon Wade didn’t sell a product. They solved a problem. More importantly, they understood they were assisting Erdman and the museum to create a feeling of connection, joy, and community.
CLtel didn’t say, here’s some bandwidth, or call our 800 number if you need anything else. Beatty and Wade worked with Erdman to make it easier for people to enjoy the museum. That’s why this isn’t a WiFi story.
Lessons for the Modern Age
WiFi is just a tool. What matters is the outcome – a seamless, frictionless, and modern way for visitors to enjoy history. The Kinney Pioneer Museum, with its artifacts and apple press, suddenly feels like the future – not because of what’s on display, but because of how it makes people feel.
“We always want visitors to arrive curious and leave feeling knowledgeable and connected to history,” said Erdman.
And with WiFi blanketing the museum grounds, the Kinney Pioneer Museum is more than a tribute to North Iowa’s history. It’s a blueprint for digital harmony and a case study of how a tiny, invisible tweak can enhance the customer experience.
