Thomas Edison lived in Milan, Ohio for just seven years, but that doesn’t diminish the fact that the small town minutes away from Lake Erie is the birthplace of one of the world’s greatest inventors. The Edison Birthplace Museum celebrates that milestone and provides an interesting look at the family that made a genius and the family life of the man himself.

Although much of Edison’s work was done in West Orange, New Jersey, home of the Thomas Edison National Historical Park, the Edison Birthplace Museum does proudly display many of Edison’s inventions as well as other artifacts from his life. A phonograph sits proudly beside the Grammy awarded to Edison in 2010. In a glass case, visitors can see one of the time cards the business owner kept in his own factory, the 112 weekly hours recorded standing as evidence of his work ethic.

While these exhibits are interesting to look at, the real treasure of the Edison Birthplace Museum are the tour guides who share a wealth of knowledge about the Edison family and Thomas’s own personal life.

During a tour of the birthplace home you may hear that:

• John Edison, the inventor’s great-grandfather, immigrated to Nova Scotia, Canada after being imprisoned for supporting the British during the American Revolution.
• Edison’s grandfather, Captain Samuel Edison, served with the British in the War of 1812.
• Thomas Edison himself was believed to be a Nazi sympathizer, apparently inheriting the knack for falling on the wrong side of history politically.
• Edison was known for working incredibly hard but having very little time for family and friends. He did, however, make every effort to provide generously for his loved ones financially.

What other eccentricities and surprising stories are shared? You’ll have to take a trip to Milan, Ohio to find out!

Photo by Britt Reints