Western Electric Answering Service Switchboard?

I purchased this at a thrift store with the idea of removing the wires so I could store stuff inside (it has a hinged door on the back) and displaying the box on a shelf. Before I proceed I want to make sure I won't be destroying some precious piece of communications history. The dimensions are 16" X 8" X 8". The momentary pushbuttons on the front look like they might be Bakelite. As far as I can tell it is a Western Electric PBX perhaps used by an answering service. Can anyone tell me more about it?
Thanks!