Edison State Park

Edison State Park is located in the Menlo Park section of Edison, New Jersey. The park covers an area of 37 acres and is situated on Christie Street, which holds historical significance as the first street in the world to be illuminated by electric lights. The park commemorates the site of Thomas Alva Edison's original Menlo Park laboratory, where the famous inventor developed numerous groundbreaking inventions.

The centerpiece of Edison State Park is the Thomas Edison Center at Menlo Park, which includes a museum and the Edison Memorial Tower. The museum houses original artifacts, interpretive exhibits, and educational displays that showcase Edison's work on the incandescent light bulb and the phonograph. Visitors can see early versions of these inventions and learn about the process of their development.

The Edison Memorial Tower, standing at 131 feet tall, is an Art Deco structure dedicated to the memory of Thomas Edison. Constructed in 1937 and rededicated in 2015 after extensive renovations, the tower features a large light bulb at its top that is illuminated at night, serving as a beacon visible for miles around.

The park grounds include walking trails that wind through wooded areas, offering visitors a chance to explore the natural surroundings. Informational kiosks are placed along the trails, providing historical context about Edison's work and the significance of the Menlo Park site.

Edison State Park serves as both a recreational area and an educational resource, allowing visitors to connect with an important chapter in the history of American innovation and technology.