Thomas Edison National Historical Park

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Large salmon colored Victorian mansion with green lawn and blue sky
Thomas Edison purchased Glenmont as a wedding present for his wife Mina in 1886, for the cost of $125,000 USD.
Large work space room with machines connected to belts and pullies
One of main machine shops, where Thomas Edison and his staff worked on research and development, prototypes, and products.
Cream colored, two story cement building surrounded by large trees
Thomas Edison's poured concrete garage houses both electric and gas powered vehicles belonging to the Edison family.
Small red building next to large brick building with a water tower in the background.
Just as Thomas Edison did every morning, visitors can walk in his footsteps by entering the laboratory complex's iron main gate.
Large black building covered in tar paper surrounded by a barrier fence
The 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.
Photos: National Park Service

About Thomas Edison National Historical Park

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.

Quick Facts

State New Jersey
Designation National Historical Park
State Code NJ
Weather Spring and Fall weather can be cool, while summer is usually warm and humid. Winter is frequently snowy and cold. It is recommended that visitors dress for the weather. Visitors…

Location & Map

Thomas Edison National Historical Park is located in New Jersey.

Entrance Fees

Entrance - Education/Academic Groups $10.00

THIS GUIDED WALKING TOUR IS FOR Elementary, Middle, and College Groups to learn about Thomas Edison’s West Orange Laboratory as a working invention factory where ideas became products, and those products became industries we all enjoy today.

Entrance - Per Person $15.00

Children 15 and under free of charge. Visitors may pay the fee on the day of their visit at the visitor center, or may choose to pay it online via Recreation.gov. Visitors to Glenmont and the Edison home must also pay this entrance fee. Credit or debt card payments only.

Operating Hours

All visitors must go to the Laboratory Complex first to obtain their entry pass and Glenmont Grounds pass. (Glenmont is currently only open on Saturday and Sunday)

Wednesday Closed
Monday Closed
Thursday 10:00AM - 4:00PM
Sunday 10:00AM - 4:00PM
Tuesday Closed
Friday 10:00AM - 4:00PM
Saturday 10:00AM - 4:00PM

Activities

Guided Tours Self-Guided Tours - Walking Junior Ranger Program

Getting There

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.

View Official Directions

Contact & Address

Address 211 Main Street, West Orange, NJ, 07052
Phone 973-736-0550
Email edis.interpretation@gmail.com

Entrance Passes

Annual Entrance - Park $45.00

Valid ONLY at Thomas Edison National Historical Park for 12 months from the date of purchase. Permits the cardholder and 3 adult guests' entrance (16 years and older, children 15 and younger are free). Includes Laboratory Complex and Glenmont Estate. All visitors must begin their visit at the Laboratory Complex. Please note: this does not guarantee entry into the mansion at Glenmont.

Topics & Themes

Burial, Cemetery and Gravesite Industry Factories Music Science, Technology and Innovation Tragic Events Catastrophic Fires Wars and Conflicts World War I Geothermal

Visitor Centers

Laboratory Complex Visitor Center

Thomas Edison Laboratory Complex & Glenmont Grounds will be open to the public Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday. All visitors must begin at the Laboratory…

Hours: These hours generally apply to the Glenmont Grounds as well. All visitors must begin their visit at the Laboratory Complex Visitor Center. If the Lab Complex is closed, visitors will not be able to obtain a Glenmont Grounds pass, and will therefore not be admitted to Glenmont on those days.

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