Edison Homestead

THF1921 / Edison Homestead
01

Artifact Overview

Thomas Edison's great-grandparents fled to Canada after the American Revolution because they had sided with the British. Edison's grandparents started a farm and built this home there. As a boy, Edison enjoyed visiting the farm, where he played in the barn, went swimming, and fished in a nearby river.

Artifact Details

Artifact

House

Date Made

circa 1816

Place of Creation

Creator Notes

Originally built by Samuel Edison (Sr.) in Vienna, Ontario, Canada.

Location

at Greenfield Village in Porches and Parlors District

Object ID

33.709.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Wood (Plant material)
Pine (Wood)
Oak (Wood)
Brick (Clay material)
Glass (Material)

02

Related Content

  • Hanks Silk Mill
    Set

    Greenfield Village Buildings

    • 84 Artifacts
    As America was taking its first steps towards industrialization, the Hanks family of Mansfield, Connecticut, made early attempts to mechanize the production of silk thread. Rodney Hanks and his nephew Horatio Hanks built this mill in 1810. It was the first silk mill in America, producing some of the first silk with machines that were powered by a waterwheel.
  • Woman demonstrating historic cooking
    article

    2020 Holiday Nights Recipe Cards

      From the kitchens of Greenfield Village to yours at home, this year’s collection of Holiday Nights recipes are inspired by our own historic recipe bank. Check out four of our 2020 recipes by visiting our blog.