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Thomas Edison National Historical Park

Designation: National Historical Park

Location: New Jersey

Visit Official Park Website

📘 Park Overview

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.

🌤 Weather Information

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.

Images

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.

Credit: NPS Photo

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.

Credit: NPS Photo

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.

Credit: NPS Photo

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.

Credit: NPS Photo

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.

Credit: NPS Photo

Activities

Topics

Operating Hours

Sunday
11:00AM - 3:30PM
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
11:00AM - 3:30PM
Friday
11:00AM - 3:30PM
Saturday
11:00AM - 3:30PM

Entrance Fees

Entrance - Education/Academic Groups
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.
$10.00
Entrance - Per Person
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.
$15.00

Entrance Passes

Annual Entrance - Park
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. Those tour tickets are separate, limited, and available only on Recreation.gov.
$45.00

3-Day Weather Forecast

Friday, May 29

Sunny

Sunny

High: 81.5°F | Low: 54.9°F

Humidity: 47%

Wind: 14.5 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 8.1

Sunrise: 05:29 AM

Sunset: 08:19 PM

Moon: Full Moon (99%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 56°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Saturday, May 30

Partly Cloudy

Partly Cloudy

High: 67.3°F | Low: 48.1°F

Humidity: 45%

Wind: 15.9 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 6.2

Sunrise: 05:28 AM

Sunset: 08:20 PM

Moon: Full Moon (100%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 46.5°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Sunday, May 31

Sunny

Sunny

High: 75.7°F | Low: 50.8°F

Humidity: 42%

Wind: 10.5 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 7.3

Sunrise: 05:28 AM

Sunset: 08:21 PM

Moon: Full Moon (99%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 51.7°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Park Alerts

Glenmont Mansion and Grounds Closed - Opening May 1st Park Closure
Glenmont, the Edison family home and surrounding estate grounds, are currently closed. They will reopen on May 1st, 2026. The Laboratory Complex remains open Thursday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. For touring information, follow the link below.

More Info

Chemistry Laboratory Closed Park Closure
The Chemistry Laboratory exhibit is currently closed due to operational and safety considerations. The rest of the Laboratory Complex remains open.
Elevator Out of Service Park Closure
The elevator at Thomas Edison's Laboratory Complex is out of service. The 2nd and 3rd floors of the Main Laboratory - Building 5 can still be accessed by staircases on either end of the building.
Winter Closure 2026 Park Closure
The park is closed to the public starting January 2nd, 2026 for our seasonal winter closure. All park buildings are currently closed. No public access to Glenmont or the Glenmont grounds.The park is scheduled to open on Thursday, February 26.

More Info

Road Closure - Sunday March 15th for West Orange St. Patrick's Day Parade Information
Main St. will close Sunday, March 16th from about 11am till about 3:00pm for the annual West Orange St. Patrick's Day Parade. Until Main St. reopens, our parking lots will be inaccessible. Parking may be available on Lakeside Ave or nearby streets.
Laboratory Complex Reopening Information
The park is scheduled to reopen to the public beginning on Thursday, February 26. Hours of operation will be 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Thursday through Sunday. For more information, visit our Basic Information and Fees pages.

More Info

Park Events

Mina in Her Natural Element

While Thomas Edison explored his inventive and business pursuits at his West Orange Laboratory, his wife Mina Miller Edison managed their home estate, Glenmont, and led an active civic life.

Meet a ranger for a stroll around the Glenmont grounds to learn about Mina’s interests in birding and the environment.

Visitors must first go to the Visitor Center at 211 Main Street to pay admission and pick up a grounds pass to visit Glenmont.

This program does not include entry to the Glenmont mansion, garage or greenhouse.

Thursdays in May at 2:00 p.m.

Location: Visitors must go to the Laboratory Complex first to obtain a Grounds Pass, then travel to Glenmont on their own.

Date: May 7, 2026 12:00am to May 28, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

The Greenhouse at Glenmont

Explore the historic greenhouse used by the Edison family during their time here at Glenmont. The glass paneled structure houses ferns, citrus, roses, orchids, and succulents. Meet your guide at the greenhouse, and they will walk you through and share the history of the building as well as the nature of the flora growing in there currently.

A Grounds Pass from the Laboratory Visitor Center is required to access Glenmont and the greenhouse.

Weather conditions and staffing may affect the availability of the tour.

Date: May 16, 2026 12:00am to May 16, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

West Orange Street Fair & Edison Day 2026
Join us at Thomas Edison National Historical Park for this annual event put on by the National Park Service. The historical park will be "Fee Free" for all citizens and residents of the United States. Visitors will have access to the laboratory complex for self guided tours. The Park will be offering free demonstrations, talks, and activities for all age groups throughout the day!   The Township of West Orange partners with Thomas Edison National Historical Park to offer the Downtown Street Fair where a classic car show, as well as craft, art, food, and beverage vendors set up in front of the site located at 211 Main Street, West Orange, New Jersey.   Please follow the signs for parking the day of the event. The park's usual parking lots will be inaccessible.   Note: The Glenmont estate will be closed to the public during the event.

Location: The West Orange Street Fair takes place along the park's perimeter, and will continue throughout the day on Main Street.

Date: Jun 6, 2026 12:00am to Jun 6, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Visitor Center & Contacts

📍 Physical Address:
211 Main Street
West Orange, NJ 07052

🏤 Mailing Address:
211 Main Street
West Orange, NJ 07052

📞 Voice Phone: 973-736-0550

📞 Fax Phone: 973-736-6567

✉️ Email: edis.interpretation@gmail.com

Park Location

👏 Fun Fact
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