Building Library
The furnished library illustrates two important themes the interpretation of
Edison’s life and achievements. Though the library furnishings changed in
detail over the years, the general appearance the room remained the same from
the beginning the interpretive period until Edison’s death. Edison’s own cluttered desk makes
the point that all his life’s work was not carried out laboratory. The library also serves appropriate place talk
about the role Charles and Theodore Edison their father’s business. Framed prints and
photographs were constantly added and moved around the library with the
result that most the older prints were moved many times over the years. The
relative magnificence the tiered library itself, well the awards, statues
and honors filling the room, all serve initiate discussion Edison public
man. The first, Edison’s celebrity and popularity his
own time, can conveyed explaining the library’s function reception area
for reporters, dignitaries, and business associates eager meet with Edison.
233
. The desks
and work tables office employees presented here begin explain the type of
support Edison needed maintain his widespread research, development, and
manufacturing activities. However,
prints that were located historically the lower levels the room are returned
to their general location before 1920.
The most common locations for framed prints and photographs were the
columns, the railings around the balconies, and the dividers between the
alcoves facing the center the room. The plan recommends retaining most prints, awards, and memorials
added the library after 1920 because they support the theme Edison as
celebrity, and because they reflect the historic appearance the room.
A second theme introduced the library and carried through rooms the
second floor Building that the administrative coordination required to
maintain enterprise vast Edison’s. Early
prints and photographs seem have been "bumped" the balconies during
Edison’s later years, new awards and photographs current friends and
associates were displayed the main floor. set prints the 1893 Columbian
Exposition, portraits famous scientists and inventors, photographs the 1890
Lenox Lyceum exhibit, photographs steam generators and boilers, and several
prints Edison plants appear many historic photographs from the interpretive
period. Photographic documentation
for this period good, and supported memos, correspondence and purchase
vouchers from the Edison Archive.
The overall object present the library appeared from about 1910 through
1920, when Edison was well established international celebrity and still
vigorously managing his complex business concerns
