Major Landmarks of Edison, New Jersey

Edison, New Jersey is most well-known for being the home of Thomas Edison’s Menlo Park laboratory campus. But beyond its history as the site of innovation for the legendary inventor, Edison has emerged as a destination in its own right with diverse attractions, natural areas, arts and culture, sports, and much more. This local guide will explore the top landmarks that make Edison a dynamic place to live, work, and visit today.

Thomas Edison Center at Menlo Park

The Thomas Edison Center at Menlo Park is undoubtedly Edison’s most iconic and historied landmark. Located near the site of Thomas Edison’s Menlo Park laboratory campus, this museum and memorial captures Edison’s profound legacy of innovation spanning his 47 year career.

Museum

The museum features a recreation of Edison’s original Menlo Park laboratory using authentic artifacts and replicas. Some highlights include:

• Edison’s rolltop desk and personal effects
• Original phonographs and light bulbs
• Over 500 inventions on display spanning fields like sound recording, motion pictures, electricity, batteries, and more

In the museum, you can learn about Edison’s breakthrough innovations through exhibits and also watch live presentations by “Edison” himself brought to life by trained historians and scientists.

Memorial Tower

Outside the museum stands the Memorial Tower – a 131 foot tall stainless steel tower with a light bulb sculpture at the top. The tower symbolizes the soaring heights of imagination and innovation that Edison brought to the world. At night, the tower is lit up in a breathtaking display.

The Thomas Edison Center at Menlo Park is open Wednesday-Sunday year round and brings Edison’s legacy to life as a world class destination.

Edison Memorial Tower

Distinct from the towering memorial at the Thomas Edison Center, a second tower dedicated to Thomas Edison can be found at the highest natural point in Edison. Built in 1938, the Edison Memorial Tower stands 131 feet tall overlooking central Edison and the surrounding region.

The observation deck of the tower offers sweeping 360 degree views from the tree lined hills of northern Edison down through bustling downtown and beyond to the industry of the harbor front. On a clear day, one can see all the way to the Newark skyline and Statue of Liberty with the naked eye or glimpse even further with the help of coin operated viewing scopes.

The tower exterior and observation deck are open to visitors year round during park hours except major holidays. The site also features a 9/11 Memorial fountain as well as a monument for local Civil War soldiers. Throughout the year, concerts and events are hosted on the great front lawn against the picturesque backdrop of the tower.

Roosevelt Park

Roosevelt Park is the largest developed open space in Edison spanning over 130 acres. The park welcomes all visitors with free admission and parking. Some features that make Roosevelt Park a major landmark and destination include:

Lake and Fountain

At the heart of Roosevelt Park is a sprawling 20 acre lake surrounded by lush greenery and connected walking paths perfect for an afternoon stroll. An elegant fountain continually erupts from the center of the lake with water displays choreographed to lights and music during special events.

Athletic Facilities

Roosevelt Park contains top notch sports facilities open to the public including basketball courts, tennis courts, baseball diamonds, soccer and football fields, and an inline skating rink.

Dog Park

The recently opened fenced-in dog park allows dogs to play freely off-leash as their owners socialize. Separate sections accommodate large and small dogs.

Concerts and Events

Throughout spring and summer, Roosevelt Park hosts free public concerts covering genres like jazz, pop, funk, soul, and orchestral music. Holiday events, cultural festivals, 5K races, and movies under the stars also occur annually.

With natural scenery, recreation, arts, and culture, Roosevelt Park provides year round enjoyment as a Edison landmark.

James Street Commons

James Street Commons offers a vibrant pedestrian plaza in downtown Edison vibrant with constant activity. The features that make James Street Commons a local landmark and gathering place comprise:

Dining

James Street Commons contains a wide selection of popular restaurants including family dining, bars and taverns, take out counters, dessert cafes, and more. No matter your tastes or budget, you can find dining options for every occasion in the Commons’ central locale.

Concerts and Events

A covered outdoor stage anchors one end of James Street Commons hosting free weekly community concerts during spring through fall. Cultural festivals, holiday events, markets, and community fundraisers also utilize the versatile event space.

Office Space

The intact historical buildings that enclose James Street Commons have been adaptively reused to creative modern workspaces, galleries, and microbusinesses that employ hundreds while preserving Edison’s heritage.

Surrounded by pedestrian thoroughfares, wayfinding signage, information kiosks, flower gardens, and public art installations, James Street Commons invites both locals and tourists to linger within its vibrant atmosphere as a hallmark Edison landmark.

Oak Tree Pond

Oak Tree Pond stands out among Edison’s landmarks as a protected haven for natural recreation and wildlife observation. As the town’s largest freshwater pond, Oak Tree Pond offers:

Fishing

Oak Tree Pond is stocked annually by the state with popular sport fish like large mouth bass, bluegill, crappie, trout, catfish, and carp. It also harbors native fish species for catch and release fishing. No fishing license is required.

Birdwatching

The secluded wetlands habitats surrounding Oak Tree Pond provide prime grounds for birdwatchers to spot waterfowl, wading birds, raptors, songbirds, and migratory species.

Trails

Nearly 2 miles of rustic wooded trails circle Oak Tree Pond ranging from easy to moderately challenging terrain. The trails interweave through flood plain forests, meadow clearings, creekside thickets, and wetland boardwalks.

As a scenic respite protected by the Edison Land Conservation Trust, Oak Tree Pond offers natural tranquility minutes from Edison’s bustling downtown.

Other Notable Landmarks

Beyond its most prominent landmarks, Edison hides other treasures worth discovering as unique landmarks tied to the town’s culture and heritage:

St. James Church

Built in 1856, St. James Church stands as the oldest church in Edison. The historic church remains an active parish today holding regular worship services and community outreach programs. Visitors admire the church’s stately architecture including its distinctive bell tower and stained glass windows.

Village Hall

Edison’s Village Hall encapsulates various town offices and departments within an ornate historic building dating to the early 20th century. The hall’s facade showcases intricate brick and stone masonry work. Inside, the grand lobby, meeting rooms, and corridors display further refined architectural details true to the early 1900s.

Clara Barton Firehouse Museum

This tiny firehouse served its duties for nearly 80 years before conversion into Edison’s historical museum. Dedicated to famed nurse and humanitarian Clara Barton who resided briefly in Edison, the firehouse exhibits artifacts, photos, and interpretive panels on Barton and local history.

Statue of Liberty Replica

Tucked away in a neighborhood park, this quirky fractional scale replica of the Statue of Liberty came to Edison as a donation from Boy Scout Troop 23 in 1950. The 15 foot towering sculpture has weathered decades exposed to the elements to become an offbeat landmark.

Conclusion

From the groundbreaking innovations Thomas Edison spawned at Menlo Park to recreational parks buzzing with activity to unexpected historical oddities, Edison’s landmarks reveal the town’s multilayered identity. This guide only highlights a selection of attractions and destinations that make Edison a vibrant community to sink your roots or spend an afternoon exploring as a visitor. Let Edison’s landmarks lead you into experiencing all the richness this New Jersey township has to offer.