Historical References

If you are looking for information about Edison, try contacting a museum or historical site devoted to preserving Edison's research and memory. The following is a list of prominent spots to check:

The Edison National Historic Site
Main Street and Lakeside Avenue
West Orange, NJ 07052
201-736-5050
This museum/historic site contains Edison's research library, Edison's estate and grave, the library, machine shop, chemical lab, a replica of the Black Maria movie studio, and archives of Edison's papers and records.

The Edison Winter Home
2350 McGregor Boulevard, Fort Meyers, FL 33901
813-334-3614
Edison's Florida estate contains the botanical garden where the inventor cultivated various plants used in his research, a chemical laboratory, and a museum.

The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village
20900 Oakwood Boulevard, Dearborn, MI 48121
313-271-1620
The place of "Light's Golden Jubilee" in 1929, this site includes reconstructions of the Menlo Park Laboratory, the boarding house where his staff stayed, and a museum with exhibits of devices that originated with Edison.

Museum of Arts and History
1115 6th Street Port Huron, MI 48060
313-982-0891
This museum contains artifacts from an archeological investigation of Edison's boyhood home.

The Edison Birthplace Museum
9 Edison Drive, Milan, OH 44846
419-499-2135
This museum houses furniture, family memorabilia, and an exhibit of Edison's inventions.

Menlo Park Memorial Tower
Route 27 Edison, NY 08817
201-549-3299
This 131-foot-high tower, topped with a 14-foot-high light bulb, commemorates the site of Edison's Menlo Park Laboratory.

Con-Edison Energy Museum
145 East 14th Street New York, NY 10011
212-460-6244
Exhibits on early electric lighting are among the attractions at this museum, run by the New York City power company that still bears Edison's name.

Schenectady Museum & Planetarium
Know Terrace Heights Schenectady, NY 12305
518-382-7890
This museum includes exhibits of early General Electric products.

Thomas Edison Butchertown House
729 East Washington Louisville, KY 40202
502-583-8317
Edison stayed at this cottage during one of his stints as a telegrapher in Louisville. It contains Edison memorabilia and inventions, including a phonograph, cylinder records and early light bulbs.