Edison, Thomas Alva, Birthplace
Why it's listed
Thomas Edison's birthplace is a small, one and one-half story gabled brick house on Edison Drive in Milan, Ohio. Samuel Edison, the inventor's father, designed it, and it was built in 1841 on a lot bought that year by Nancy Elliot Edison. Thomas Alva Edison was born here on February 11, 1847, and the family moved to Port Huron, Michigan, in 1854. The house has changed very little and appears much as it did during the family's occupancy. Inside are family furnishings, a rope bed in the birth room, clothing, Edison memorabilia, and a basement kitchen with a cooking hearth. Edison later bought the house from his sister in 1906. It is recognized because it marks the origin of an inventor whose work included the incandescent lamp, the Pearl Street power plant, and early motion pictures. The nominated lot measures 66 by 115.5 feet, less than one acre.
Significance in brief: Thomas Alva Edison was born in this house on February 11, 1847, and the family left Milan in 1854. The nomination recognizes the house as the birthplace of one of America's most illustrious inventors. Edison later acquired the house from his sister in 1906. The form also notes that the house has seen very few alterations.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 66000608, listed October 15, 1966. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Edison Dr., Milan |
|---|---|
| County | Erie County |
| Listed | October 15, 1966 |
| Reference number | 66000608 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1847-1854 |
| Architect / builder | Samuel Edison (designer) |
| Areas of significance | Invention |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated January 12, 1965 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Excellent condition, on its original site, occupied and open to the public as a museum with unrestricted access. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.29995, -82.60496 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 66000608.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7787048
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.