News Release

Thomas Edison National Historical Park Increases Access beginning July 24, 2020

Rangers at the new outdoor contact station.

NPS Photo

News Release Date: July 24, 2020

Contact: Karen Sloat-Olsen, 973-699-8245

Thomas Edison National Historical Park News

 

Release Date: Immediately

Contact: Karen Sloat-Olsen, Chief of Interpretation and Education

[e-mail]

Thomas Edison National Historical Park
Increases Access Beginning July 24, 2020

 

West Orange, NJ – Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Thomas Edison National Historical Park (NHP) will be increasing access at the park. The National Park Service (NPS) is working service wide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis.

Beginning Friday, July 24, 2020, Thomas Edison NHP will reopen the Laboratory Complex grounds as well as a visitor contact station.  The grounds and contact station will be open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 11 AM to 4 PM. A new cell phone tour of the courtyard and the life and accomplishments of Thomas Edison will also be available. 

In addition, entry fees are waived and the following spaces will be open from 11 am 4 pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday: 

• Both visitor parking lots located on Main Street  

• Blacksmith Shop, Pattern Shop and Black Maria

• Courtyard cell phone tour

  
Prohibited activities include:

• large group gatherings and activities

• picnicking
   

Permanent restroom facilities will be closed; however, portable restroom units will be available for public use.

With public health in mind, the following facilities remain closed at this time:

• All public buildings

• Glenmont Grounds and Mansion

 “We hope our visitors enjoy learning about the laboratory complex and Thomas Edison as they explore the courtyard with our new cell phone tour,” said Tom Ross, superintendent of Thomas Edison NHP. “As a reminder, please continue to follow recommended social distancing practices at all times. Many of the park’s outdoor exhibits may bring visitors into areas hard to safely social distance.  Wearing a face covering, is strongly encouraged.”  

 The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. At Thomas NHP, our operational approach will be to examine each facility function and service provided to ensure those operations comply with current public health guidance and are regularly monitored. We continue to work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health using CDC guidance to ensure public and workspaces are safe and clean for visitors, employees, partners, and volunteers.  

While these areas are accessible for visitors to enjoy, a return to full operations will continue to be phased and services may be limited. When visiting, the public should follow local area health orders, park vehicles in designated parking spaces and avoid crowding.
 
The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19 and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.   
 
Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted on our website www.nps.gov/edis or on Facebook and Instagram using our social media handle: @ThomasEdisonNHP.
 
Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.
 
  www.nps.gov


About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 419 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.