Tour 23 - National Historic Treasures

Start the day with a guided tour of Thomas Edison’s 29 room Victorian mansion Glenmont. Thomas Edison purchased this grand estate for his new bride, Mina Miller Edison, in 1886. It is here that the Edisons raised their children and entertained friends, family, and business associates. Thomas Edison resided here for more than half of his lifetime. The decorative arts collection at Glenmont includes remarkable examples of Hudson River School artists, Tiffany clocks, French porcelains and Persian rugs.

Next we will visit the Thomas Edison’s Laboratory Complex. Explore 20,000 square feet of exhibit space. This was the birthplace of motion pictures In 1893, Thomas Edison built the first motion picture camera, improved phonographs, sound recordings, silent and sound movies and the nickel-iron alkaline battery.

The Laboratory is a self-guided experience so you can pick and choose what's interesting to you. There will also be park rangers stationed to answer questions.

We will eat lunch at a local restaurant

Next we will visit another National Historical Park, Jockey Hollow. Part of the Morristown National Historical Park. This is the site of General Washington and the Continental army’s winter encampment twice during the American Revolutionary War.

You will also see five reproduction soldiers' huts as they would have stood at Jockey Hollow during the 1780 encampment, these huts are a few examples of the roughly 1200 huts the Continental Army constructed during their stay in the Morristown area.

At a visitor center, you can see an exact replica of a soldier's wooden hut that 12 soldiers would have shared during their winter at Jockey Hollow. This interactive exhibit gives you a first-hand look at a soldier's life during the eighteenth century.

You can also explore the Wick House. This is an authentic eighteenth-century structure built in 1752. The house was used as a headquarters by Major General Arthur Sinclair of Pennsylvania during the Jockey Hollow Encampment. Today the house is fully furnished in eighteenth-century style and is staffed by a park ranger in a period costume.

Last stop for the day is Historic Speedwell. Experience life during the early years of the Industrial Revolution and a new era in communication. This National Historic Landmark site preserves the restored estate of Stephen Vail, a proprietor of the Speedwell Iron Works from the early to mid-1800's. Experience life during the mid 19th century through a guided tour and a variety of interactive displays.

At this place you will explore many historical buildings. The most significant building is a Factory, a National Historic Landmark where Stephen Vail's son, Alfred, worked with Samuel F.B. Morse to perfect the telegraph. This is the Birthplace of the Telegraph.

We will drive back to NYC.

Arrival back to NYC at approximately 7 pm.

Hines Tours reserves the right to alter the itinerary, plans and arrangements for the tour, if in the judgment of Hines Tours it becomes advisable to do so.