The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Greetings all -

Today was Edison Day at the Edison National Historic Site. I grew up in West Orange and my parents still live there. So, they called me and wanted stop by. So we went! They had a cylinder recording session and we toured the Edison House (Glenmont).

Here are the Glenmont pics... (how many phonographs can you spot?)

phonophan79 wrote:Greetings all -

Today was Edison Day at the Edison National Historic Site. I grew up in West Orange and my parents still live there. So, they called me and wanted stop by. So we went! They had a cylinder recording session and we toured the Edison House (Glenmont).

Here are the Glenmont pics... (how many phonographs can you spot?)

Phonophan79---I envy your trip. Such great weather today but because of prior commitments, I could not get out of Manhattan (Boston is where I was born, hence the nickname) but thanks for the pictures. Is the home open every weekend through the summer? Michael

What a beautiful home. Are the furnishings Edisons, or was it redecorated according to photographs etc?
If it is the original interior, I would have thought Edison would have had a better quality piano stool
And what on earth happened to all the phono grilles?
Thanks for posting the photo's Dean. It certainly looks like it's well worth a visit.

And thank you Mike for reposting them

gramophoneshane wrote:What a beautiful home. Are the furnishings Edisons, or was it redecorated according to photographs etc?
If it is the original interior, I would have thought Edison would have had a better quality piano stool
And what on earth happened to all the phono grilles?
Thanks for posting the photo's Dean. It certainly looks like it's well worth a visit.

And thank you Mike for reposting them

The lady giving part of the tour explained "Glenmont was built for a Mr. So-and-So. Unfortunately Mr. So-and-So was found guilty of embezzlement and went to jail. Mr. Edison, often being known as frugal, knew he had a deal and bought Glenmont." ...paraphrased of course.

So, a lot of the buildings structure was built to the specifications of that man and Edison moved into a furnished and built Glenmont. Then Mina became in charge of the estate and its contents.

I thought the same thing about the phono-grills. The two machines (beautiful models) both have broken grills.

gramophoneshane wrote:What a beautiful home. Are the furnishings Edisons, or was it redecorated according to photographs etc?
If it is the original interior, I would have thought Edison would have had a better quality piano stool
And what on earth happened to all the phono grilles?
Thanks for posting the photo's Dean. It certainly looks like it's well worth a visit.

And thank you Mike for reposting them

Dean ---I did not just re-post them----I asked a question. You responded to the "stool" response---- I suppose mine was not up to your "standards".

bostonmike1 wrote:

gramophoneshane wrote:And thank you Mike for reposting them

Dean ---I did not just re-post them----I asked a question. You responded to the "stool" response---- I suppose mine was not up to your "standards".

You misunderstand, I was as confused as Shane. For some reason your response and question was posted in the middle of my quoted text w/20 photos.

Well, in regards to your question the EHNS site says...

"Glenmont, the estate of Thomas and Mina Edison is open for the summer Wednesday through Sunday. Tours of the house are scheduled every hour on the hour from 10:00am to 4:00pm."

phonophan79 wrote: You misunderstand, I was as confused as Shane. For some reason your response and question was posted in the middle of my quoted text w/20 photos.

I nearly missed it myself, when I checked the thread from my phone on the way home. It’s been a busy weekend (on-site work), and I haven’t been home as much as I’d like.

phonophan79 wrote:"Glenmont, the estate of Thomas and Mina Edison is open for the summer Wednesday through Sunday. Tours of the house are scheduled every hour on the hour from 10:00am to 4:00pm."

Dean’s photos make me wish that I could make it down there over the summer to see it—I vaguely remember touring his workshop when I was much younger, but I don’t remember if we toured his house.

Thanks for posting these photos!

— MordEth

Thanks for posting the pictures. Too bad about the grills. I also notice the grill is upside down in the A or B 250.

They must have had a housekeeper who wielded a dangerous mop handle to have so many broken grills! I always enjoy seeing the period interiors of old homes. Very seldom were houses decorated in a high style, or even a consistent style. Edison's home was decorated with a mish-mash of stuff from a number of different time periods -- everything from Tifffany lamps to Civil War era parlor sets to cheap piano stools (lol)! Looks very still, like one could hear the clocks ticking, very cool, and very comfortable for such a grand house.

What is the easel-like piece of furniture in the sixth photo?

John M

JohnM wrote: What is the easel-like piece of furniture in the sixth photo?

John M

Good question. At first glance I thought it was a fancy coal skuttle, but I don't think it is now I look at it closely.
Are they musical instruments carved on the door panel?
That would indicate a music cabinet of some sort, but it would be the strangest design if it is. The brass bar mounted down one side is a mystery to me too.
It does look like some sort of easel with a different style smokers cabinet or similar mounted on it.
I've never seen anything quite like it.