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Thomas Edison's Laboratory

New Jersey

The West Orange lab where Edison worked for 44 years, with his desk, early films and a replica of the first movie studio.

Photo: National Park Service Digital Image Archives · Public domain

Edison's vast laboratory developed the motion picture camera, the phonograph and the storage battery. His library and machine shop are kept as they were. Glenmont, his Victorian mansion, stands nearby, and his original Menlo Park tower stands in Edison, New Jersey.

Best Time
April–June and September–October
Time Needed
Half a day
Cost Level
$$$$
Open
Check before you go; hours vary by season
Getting There
About 45 minutes by car or NJ Transit from New York City.

What to See

0 of 3 are free
2 hours

Edison Laboratory

Chemistry rooms and the machine shop.

1 hour

Glenmont

A 29-room mansion where he lived and is buried.

15 minutes

Black Maria Replica

America's first film studio.

Know Before You Go

  • Check tour hours and reservations on the NPS site.

Where to Stay

A half-day trip from New York City.

Where to Eat

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Last checked 2026-11-02. Part of the Mid-Atlantic list.