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Making America's Best Idea Even Better
Thomas Edison National Historical ParkHistoric Photo of Laboratory
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Thomas Edison National Historical Park
New Flooring for the Servants Wing
Servants dining room with original

NPS Photo

Servants dining room with original "Dreadnought Tile" flooring.

In 1916, interlocking tile linoleum was installed in the first floor servants’ areas in Glenmont. In the 1950s, most of this original flooring was replaced with plain linoleum. The Servants’ Dining Room is the only room in the house that still has the original “Dreadnought Tile” interlocking flooring. This winter, Thomas Edison National Historical Park will install reproduction linoleum to reinstate this character-defining feature. The 1950s linoleum will be removed and a replica of the 1916 historic tile will be installed in the Laundry Room, Refrigerator Room, Butler’s Pantry, Kitchen, and Hallway. Returning these areas to their historic appearance will give the servants’ areas a new and distinctive look.

 
Laundry room with green 1950s -1960s linoleum.
NPS Photo
Laundry room with 1950s - 1960s linoleum. This is one of several rooms that the flooring will be replaced with replica "Dreadnought Tile."
The talking doll that Edison sold had a ceramic head and metal body.  

Did You Know?
Was Teddy Ruxpin the first talking doll? Think again. Some of the first phonographs that Thomas made were actually talking dolls. The dolls were 18" tall and each had a very small phonograph in its body. The dolls repeated nursery rhymes. You could even buy dolls that spoke different languages.

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Last Updated: July 26, 2009 at 12:41 EST