The AmericaJR Web Team recently visited the Thomas Edison Depot Museum in Port Huron, Mich. It is housed inside the historic Fort Gratiot depot built in 1858 by the Grand Trunk Railway, and is the actual depot that Thomas Edison worked out of as a news reporter between 1859 and 1863. The exhibits portray Edison’s multi-faceted story of creativity, family support, adversity, perseverance, and ultimate triumph as one of the greatest inventor of our time. Re-created period environments and hands-on interactives invite visitors to become participants in this inspiring story and encourage them to apply their own creativity and ingenuity as they learn about Edison’s life and his inventions.
This train carried Edison from Port Huron to Detroit and back
He used the baggage car for his chemistry lab and print shop
Young Tom Edison
AmericaJR’s Gloria Rzucidlo sitting on the baggage car
This is where Edison printed his newspapers
Edison printed and sold his newspapers on the train
The Black Maria is a replica of Edison’s motion picture studio
Mickey Rooney played a young Tom Edison
Edison’s disc reproducer
AmericaJR’s Gloria Rzucidlo cranking the movie projector
Jason with the phonograph
Edison’s phonograph and electric light bulb
Edison purchased a large family headstone in 1929
Letter written by Thomas Edison
Exterior of the Depot Museum
AmericaJR’s Jason Rzucidlo with statue of Thomas Edison
The Fort Gratiot lighthouse is located nearby
It is the oldest operating lighthouse in the Great Lakes established in 1825
The 86 ft light stands above the lake level in a conical stone tower, overlaid with red brick that has been painted white.
It helps keep watch over Lake Huron at the entrance to the St. Clair River.
Casino in Sarnia, Ontario
AmericaJR’s Jason Rzucidlo with the Edison boulder
The 125th anniversary of the light bulb was celebrated on Oct. 17, 2004
The boulder is located on land near where Edison played
The McMorran Auditorium
Downtown Port Huron, MI
We ate at Powers Diner
They serve burgers and fries
Electric Avenue in Port Huron
Then, we traveled down I-94 to downtown Detroit
The Edison fountain is located within Grand Circus Park
