Large salmon colored Victorian mansion with green lawn and blue sky

Thomas Edison National Historical Park

National Historical Park · New Jersey

NPS Photo

📍 StateNew Jersey
🏛️ TypeNational Historical Park
🎟️ Entry$10
🏃 Activities3
Official NPS Website →
Thomas Edison National Historical Park

National Historical Park of the United States

Thomas Edison National Historical Park preserves Thomas Edison's laboratory and residence, Glenmont, in West Orange, New Jersey, United States. These were designed, in 1887, by architect Henry Hudson Holly. The Edison laboratories operated for more than 40 years. Out of the West Orange laboratories came the motion picture camera, improved phonographs, sound recordings, silent and sound movies and the nickel-iron alkaline electric storage battery.

WikipediaWikidataSource: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)

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.

Park Photos

Large salmon colored Victorian mansion with green lawn and blue sky
Large work space room with machines connected to belts and pullies
Cream colored, two story cement building surrounded by large trees
Small red building next to large brick building with a water tower in the background.
Large black building covered in tar paper surrounded by a barrier fence

Activities

Operating Hours

Laboratory Complex

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)

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ClosedClosedClosed10:00AM - 4:00PM10:00AM - 4:00PM10:00AM - 4:00PM10:00AM - 4:00PM

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to enter Thomas Edison National Historical Park?

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.

What are the best activities at Thomas Edison National Historical Park?

Popular activities at Thomas Edison National Historical Park include: Guided Tours, Self-Guided Tours - Walking, Junior Ranger Program.

What is the weather like at Thomas Edison National Historical Park?

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 may need jackets or rain gear as they will be walking between buildings as they tour the park during inclement weather. Please keep any rain gear/umbrellas with you during your visit.

How do I get to Thomas Edison National Historical Park?

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.

Entrance Fees

Entrance - Education/Academic Groups$10

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

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.

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 may need jackets or rain gear as they will be walking between buildings as they tour the park during inclement weather. Please keep any rain gear/umbrellas with you during your visit.

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.

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Location

Coordinates40.7855, -74.2382

Official Resources

NPS Official Website