Edison Memorial Tower
New Jersey’s Monument to Innovation — 131-Foot Art Deco Tower Topped with Giant Light Bulb, Site of Thomas Edison’s Menlo Park Laboratory 1876-1882, First Street Lit by Electric Light, Edison Museum, National Register of Historic Places, Edison Township Middlesex County New Jersey
Edison Memorial Tower is a state historic site at 37 Christie Street, Edison Township, Middlesex County, New Jersey, within the 36-acre Edison State Park. This 131-foot Art Deco memorial tower, dedicated on February 11, 1938 (Edison’s 91st birthday), marks the site of Thomas Alva Edison’s legendary Menlo Park laboratory, where he worked from 1876 to 1882 and developed the practical incandescent light bulb. The tower is topped with a massive replica light bulb made of Pyrex glass and is listed on both the National and New Jersey Registers of Historic Places. The site features the Thomas Edison Center museum with light bulbs, phonographs, and personal artifacts, the excavated foundation of Edison’s office and laboratory, Christie Street — the first street in the world lit by incandescent electric light, nature trails and interpretive kiosks through Edison State Park, and a scale model of Edison’s laboratory.
The Menlo Park Laboratory
Between 1876 and 1882, Edison’s Menlo Park laboratory was the “invention factory” that produced some of the most transformative innovations in human history, including the practical incandescent light bulb (1879), the phonograph, improvements to the telegraph, and an experimental electric railroad. Edison’s team demonstrated the world’s first public electric lighting system here, illuminating Christie Street with incandescent bulbs — the first street on Earth to be lit by electric light.
The Museum
The Thomas Edison Center at Menlo Park houses a museum featuring early light bulbs, phonographs, dynamos, personal belongings, and artifacts from Edison’s electric railroad. Visitors can view the excavated foundation of Edison’s office and library and a to-scale model of his laboratory. The surrounding park includes nature trails and interpretive displays.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was invented here?
Edison developed the practical incandescent light bulb, phonograph, and other innovations at his Menlo Park laboratory (1876–1882).
Is the tower open to visitors?
The museum and grounds are open to visitors. Check menloparkmuseum.org for current hours.
Wildlife & Nature
Edison Memorial Tower — a 131-foot Art Deco tower marking the site of Thomas Edison’s Menlo Park laboratory, where he invented the phonograph (1877) and the practical incandescent light bulb (1879). The surrounding park grounds support songbirds and eastern cottontails.
Nearby Attractions
Edison, NJ — adjacent (the township is named for him). Edison National Historical Park — in West Orange — has Edison’s later lab. New Brunswick — 5 miles south.
