Thomas Edison National Historical Park

National Park Service, New Jersey.

Today, the brick buildings on Main Street in West Orange, NJ seem quiet, betraying little evidence of the research, development, and innovation of their heyday. Visitors can step back in time to Thomas Edison’s home and laboratory, when machines were run by belts and pulleys and music was played on phonographs. Discover where America’s greatest inventor changed our world forever.

Activities and Experiences

  • Thomas Edison National Historical Park Tours

Site Passes

  • Thomas Edison National Historical Park Site Pass

Directions

From the Garden State Parkway take exit 145 or from the New Jersey Turnpike take Exit 15W to Route 280 West. Take Route 280 West to Exit 10. Turn right onto Northfield Avenue. At second light turn left onto Main Street. Go about 0.75 mile to parking on left and Laboratory Complex on the right. From Route 280 East take exit 9. Turn left onto Mt. Pleasant Avenue. At second traffic light turn left onto Main Street. Go about 0.50 mile to parking on left and Laboratory Complex on the right.

Additional Information

  • Thomas Edison National Historical Park Official Website
  • Thomas Edison National Historical Park Map

Photo Gallery

  • Thomas Edison National Historical ParkLaboratory of Thomas Edison
  • Thomas Edison National Historical Park Preserves Thomas Edison's laboratory and residence, Glenmont.Laboratory of Thomas Edison
  • Heavy Machine Shop at the Edison Laboratory ComplexOne of main machine shops, where Thomas Edison and his staff worked on research and development, prototypes, and products.
  • Glenmont GarageThomas Edison's poured concrete garage houses both electric and gas powered vehicles belonging to the Edison family.
  • Replica Black MariaThe Black Maria was the first building built for the recording of motion pictures. This exact replica of the original was built as a movie set for the film "Edison the Man", starring Spencer Tracy, in 1954.
  • Park EntranceJust as Thomas Edison did every morning, visitors can walk in his footsteps by entering the laboratory complex's iron main gate.

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