From The Archives

Visit Edison House

Edison came to Louisville in 1866, at the young age of 19, to work as a telegraph key operator and landed a job with the Western Union located on Second and West Main Street (about eight blocks from this home). The house is a small, simple double shotgun duplex built around 1850 and originally had a solid wall running down the center of the structure. Only the most basic accommodations would have been afforded. Edison's stay in Louisville ended abruptly in 1867 when he spilled sulfuric acid, damaging his employer's desk, and as a result, was fired. The house itself has many artifacts of Edison's era, some of which are available for hands-on use, and an extensive collection of Edison's inventions. In 1879, Thomas Edison invented the incandescent light bulb. The electric light bulb wasn't Edison's favorite invention, but it certainly was his most famous. Our light bulb collection consists of many varied types of his earliest light bulbs. Some of the other interesting artifacts found at Thomas Edison House include both cylinder and disc phonographs, as well as Edison Business Phonographs. An Edison Kinetoscope, the first home motion picture projector, is also on display in the museum.

Hours of Operation:
Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

Admission:
Adults $5.00
Seniors $4.00
18 and Under $3.00
5 and Under FREE
Group rates are $2.00 per student, with one adult admitted free for every 10 students.