Academic Group Tours

We invite you and your students to Thomas Edison National Historical Park to tour one of the world’s first industrial research and development labs and to learn excellent lessons in STEM, history, and creativity! 

Academic groups of all levels, from elementary school through high school and university graduates, will find enriching experiences in history and STEM when they visit. 

There are two choices for touring: Guided Tours and Self-Guided Tours 

 

Guided Tours 

Guided tours last 90 minutes and consist of a 60-minute tour of the laboratory followed by a 30 minute group activity. Maximum group size may not exceed 30x students, and a minimum of 1 adult chaperone must accompany every 15 students. 

 

Teachers and professors may choose from the following lesson plans: 

 

Lesson Plan 

Description 

Recommended Grade Level 

Idea to Product the Edison Way 

Using Edison’s engineering method, students will invent a product. 

4th-8th Grade 

Who’s the Victor? 

Students will compare and contrast Edison and Victrola phonographs and host a debate. 

9th-12th Grade 

Custom 

Custom tours may be arranged for adult learners, university students, or any other teacher who wishes to use an alternate program. 

Any 

 

Sign up for a Guided Tour on Recreation.gov

 

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After creating an account or signing in through Recreation.gov, reserve a tour date using the calendar menu. Please note that if a date is unavailable, the reason is usually that another group has already reserved it. 

 

After reserving your date, a Park Ranger or representative will contact you within 5-7 business days of your request to select a lesson plan and assist with planning your tour. After replying to this message, you will receive a confirmation letter, which you must bring with you on the day of your arrival.  

 

Accredited, bona fide academic institutions will receive a fee waiver. If your group is not eligible for a fee waiver, a fee of $15 will be charged for any group member who is 16 years of age or older. 

 

Please note that our facilities do not have any place for students to eat. Free vehicle and Bus parking is available across the street from our museum, which is located at 211 Main Street in West Orange, New Jersey. 

 

Self-Guided Tours 

You can arrange a self-guided tour of the museum at any date and time the museum is open to the public by emailing the Group Coordinator.

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Once you have signed up for your tour, you will receive a confirmation letter within 5-7 business days. Please bring this letter with you on the day of your arrival. 

 

Accredited, bona fide academic institutions will receive a fee waiver. If your group is not eligible for a fee waiver, a fee of $15 will be charged for any group member who is 16 years of age or older. 

You may bring as many students as you wish, provided that there is at least 1 adult chaperone for every 15 students.  

Please note that our facilities do not have any place for students to eat. Free vehicle and Bus parking is available across the street from our museum, which is located at 211 Main Street in West Orange, New Jersey. A small picnicking area is available near the parking lot.

 

"If we did all the things we are capable of, we would literally astound ourselves" 

-Thomas A. Edison 

Last updated: August 9, 2024

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

211 Main Street
West Orange, NJ 07052

Phone:

973-736-0550 x11
Phones are monitored as staff are available with messages being checked Wednesday - Sunday. If a ranger is unavailable to take your call, we kindly ask that you leave us a detailed message with return contact information and we will be happy to get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you.

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