thomas-edison | NJ | Find park

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.

Physical Address:

211 Main Street

West Orange, NJ 07052

Mailing Address:

211 Main Street

West Orange, NJ 07052

contact-details

Phone Number: 973-736-0550 Voice
Phone Number: 973-736-6567 Fax

Email Address: edis.interpretation@gmail.com
Description: Please use this email to send us your questions/concerns.

Fees

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.

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.

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 designation:National Historical Park

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.

For detailed directions, please visit this link.

Directions

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)

Exceptions:

Winter Closure (January 1, 2026 - March 9, 2026)

Thanksgiving Day (November 27, 2025 - November 27, 2025)

Christmas Day (December 25, 2025 - December 25, 2025)

New Year's Day (January 1, 2026 - January 1, 2026)

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.