Thomas Edison National Historical Park

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Welcome to Thomas Edison National Historical Park

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Welcome to Glenmont the Home of Thomas Edison

Glenmont is an imposing structure whose extreme dimensions measure approximately 125 feet long, 116 feet wide, and 54 feet high. It originally contained 23 rooms, including 2 ½ bathrooms. The estate was named by its original owners Henry and Louise Pedder.

Beautiful Glenmont The Home of Thomas and Mina Edison

The Pedders originally commissioned architect Henry Hudson Holly to build Glenmont. Henry Pedder was a confidential secretary for the prestigious Arnold Constable Company in New York. Unknown to the company however, was Pedder’s stealing of corporate funds to finance the construction and furnishing of lovely Glenmont. Pedder and several other employees were in on the siphoning of Constable’s largess. In 1884, Pedder’s scheme was uncovered, and he was forced to hand over Glenmont to Constable.

The Edison Estate in New Jersey

Looking for a place near his contemplated new West Orange laboratories, Edison buys Glenmont in a distress sale, completely furnished, with barn and livestock, greenhouse, and all the grounds for $125,000. Mina had her choice of this estate or a townhouse in New York and wisely selected Glenmont.

Glenmont's Back Yard

In all, Tom and Mina Edison would raise 6 children at Glenmont, Edison’s first three, Marion, Thomas Jr. and William; plus three more of their own, Madeline, Charles, and Theodore. The first set of children did not fare as well as the second.

The Reception Room in Glenmont Thomas Edison Home

After being received by the butler guest usually would wait here to be greeted by Mr. or Mrs. Edison.

The Grand Staircase in Glenmont the Thomas Edison Estate

Entrance to Glenmont (West Orange, New Jersey) features this Grand Staircase.

Painting in Glenmont The Thomas Edison Estate

Thomas Edison and his wife Mina were also great lovers of art. This large painting is on landing of grand staircase, “The Morning after the Ball”. It was purchased at Paris Exposition of 1889, and painted by Abraham Archibald Anderson, Edison County painter and friend of Edison

Stained Glass Window in Glenmont The Edison Estate

This stained glass window is found inside Glenmont Estate, Thomas Edison's home in West Orange, NJ. It depicts a scene from The Odyssey where Penelope awaits Ulysses's return from the Trojan War.

The Pedder Library in the Glenmont Estate

This library was initially created for Mr. Pedder the original owner of the house. Thomas Edison didn't need this room because in had a library at his factory about a mile away so he and his wife turned it into the sign in room in which guest would sign in when visiting the estate.

The Pedder Library in the Glenmont Estate

This library was initially created for Mr. Pedder the original owner of the house. Thomas Edison didn't need this room because in had a library at his factory about a mile away so he and his wife turned it into the sign in room in which guest would sign in when visiting the estate.

The Music Room in Glenmont

The great houses of this period always had a music room where the family or guests would gathers to listen and enjoy either a member of the family play or a guest musician would entertain.

The Music Room at Glenmont the Edison Estate

Mansions in the gilded age often had music rooms and it was very common for that room to have an organ. I guess it was their answer to a flat screen TV.

Drawing Room at the Glenmont Estate

This was the most formal room in the house and was only used for special occasions. Madeline Edison was married in this room and Edison's wake was held here.

Portrait of Madeleine Edison Sloane in the Drawing Room at Glenmont

This Painting of Thomas Edison's daughter Madeleine hangs at Glenmont. Demonstrating typical Edison independence, Madeleine married John Eyre Sloane in the Drawing Room at Glenmont on June 17, 1914. Her parents were not pleased. They would have preferred their daughter to marry the son of an industrialist, not an aviator. Mina Edison was especially upset that her new son-in-law was a Catholic.

The Dining Room at Glenmont

Before they became presidents, Wilson and Hoover ate there; as did the great conservationists and environmental activists, John Burroughs and John Muir (of Muir Woods in CA fame). Maria Montessori, Helen Keller, The kings of Siam and Sweden, and many great industrialists like Henry Ford, George Eastman, and Harvey Firestone.

Painting hanging in the Dining of Glenmont

Pianting in Dining Room

The Den at Glenmont, Thomas Edison Estate

This was the principal downstairs family room. This is where the Christmas tree was set up. It served as a screening room and as the stage for the Edison children when they put on performances for adults. If you look around the room you will see some of Edison's inventions.

The Ceiling in the Den at Glenmont

The Edisons' only major addition to the house was a den with a cove ceiling alternating stained glass and trompe l'oeil molding along the perimeter. On the ceiling itself is a mural of female representations of 'Science and Music.

Screen From China in the Den at Glenmont

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The Conservatory at The Glenmont Estate

Mrs Edison was a member of the National Audubon Society and often watch the birds on the estate from this room. It was very popular during the Victorian Era to try to bring the outside inside the house, so this room would have been filled with a large number of plants.

The Upstairs Living Room

Edison much preferred to spend his evenings in his upstairs “thought laboratory”, a commodious living room on the second floor, about 36 feet long by 25 feet wide, where surrounded by books, Edison spent hours developing the ideas in this room. His excellent staff would later hammer into reality at his request.

Master Bedroom in Glenmont

This was the master bedroom. It was hear where 3 of Edison's children were born and where he died in 1931.

Bedroom at Glenmont

This was one of the chidren's bedrooms at Glenmont

One of the Children's Bedroom in Glenmont

The children were away at boarding school but returned to spend summers at Glenmont.

Guest Bedroom in Glenmont

The mansion was the site of many famous guests such as Presidents Hoover and Wilson; the kings of Sweden and Siam; environmentalist John Burroughs and Maria Montessori-the famed educator; General “Black Jack” Pershing and Helen Keller; industrialists: Henry Ford, Harvey Firestone, and George Eastman. There were also Orville Wright, Charles Lindbergh, and variety of others, including famed musical artists that Edison had recorded on his phonograph records.

Bedroom in Glenmont

Edison entertained many important people including the King of Siam, President Herbert Hoover, Helen Keller and Orville Wright