The Thomas Edison Birthplace Museum

OHIO COVID-19 UPDATE On Wednesday, May 12th, 2021, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced Health Orders would end on Wednesday, June 2nd, 2021. To continue to protect our tour guides and visitors, we will continue to require visitors to wear facial coverings and abide by social distancing rules until further notice. We thank you in advance.

The Thomas Edison Birthplace Museum re-opened on Thursday, May 13th. Tours are by Appointment Only. Please view our COVID-19 Guidelines of what to expect when you visit the museum. We hope to see you soon!

See why the Thomas Edison Birthplace Museum should be your next adventure.

I have visited about 1500 historic sites and have been trying to get to this one. Though 72, I am like a five-year-old when I experience something new. This one did it! Though small, the museum's sampling of Edison's inventions gave an overview of his genius. The family connections through the furnishings are an edge up on period pieces in many museums. The guide was exceptional, keeping one's attention with amazing facts about an amazing person with a vibrancy as if that was her first tour of the day.

From the outside Edison's home in Milan looks like a pretty small house, but it is so full of history on the inside. The guided tour through the home gives you a detailed story of the house, the people who lived there, and even a bit about the history Milan, Ohio itself. The folks that run the Thomas Edison Birthplace Museum are very passionate about telling the story of Thomas Edison and his life. As a geek history enthusiast, I've wanted for years to visit Edison's home in Milan and finally was able to fit a stop into one of our road trips. So glad I did!

We thought the tour would be brief, but Cindi, the tour guide had so many interesting facts and stories to share that the time (approx 2 hours) flew by. It was even more enjoyable in that it was just the two of us and Cindi, the tour guide. We felt we could take the time to ask many questions and not be rushed. She was very knowledgeable and her heart was in the presentation about Thomas Edison and the community. She took a lot of pride in sharing her hometown’s history.

What a wonderful museum. Our tour guide, Eve, was phenomenal, taking us through every room in the house, showing every object, and answering any question put forth. It is a small place, but a thorough experience, and well worth the trip.

Want to help make a difference while you shop in the Amazon app, at no extra cost to you? Simply follow the instructions below to select “Edison Birthplace Association Inc” as your charity and activate AmazonSmile in the app. They’ll donate a portion of your eligible mobile app purchases to us.

How it works:

1. Open the Amazon app on your phone

2. Select the main menu (=) & tap on “AmazonSmile” within Programs & Features

3. Select “Edison Birthplace Association Inc” as your charity

4. Follow the on-screen instructions to activate AmazonSmile in the mobile app

Watch the History of the Edison Birthplace

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought hardships to many businesses around the country.

We have created a short video for our visitors explaining a brief overview and history of the Birthplace.

We hope you enjoy the video and we hope to see you soon.

Play Video

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WHERE THE AGE OF INVENTION WAS BORN

Thomas Alva Edison, inventor of the phonograph, the incandescent light bulb, and many other devices that make our lives fuller and simpler, was born in Milan, Ohio, in 1847. The Edison Birthplace Museum features a collection of rare Edisonia, including examples of many of Edison’s early inventions, documents, and family mementos. The Birthplace is open February through December and is located at 9 North Edison Drive in Milan, Ohio (near Exit 118 of the Ohio Turnpike). Visit, learn about how this great man grew up and began the Age of Invention.

The Edison Birthplace was opened by his wife Mina and his daughter Madeleine as a tribute to the humble beginnings of a great man. The Edison Birthplace Museum is the only Edison site to have family involved, including great-grand children and a great-great-great-great niece on the Board of Trustees, and a great-great-great nephew as President.

WE'RE PROUD TO BE A BLUE STAR MUSEUM.

Being a Blue Star Museum lets us give free admission to those currently serving in the United States military—Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard as well as members of the Reserves, National Guard, U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps — and up to five family members.

Valid through Armed Forces Day to Labor Day. Valid military ID required.

The Edison Birthplace Museum offers free admission to individual military members, active & retired, year-around. Valid military ID required.

DOWNLOADABLE DOCUMENTS

Find all sorts of different, free downloadable documents provided by the Birthplace.

WHERE WE’RE LOCATED

9 N Edison Dr.

Milan, OH 44846

The Edison Birthplace does not receive local, state or federal tax monies. We are privately funded.