Thomas Edison was born and lived in Milan his first seven years from 1847-1854. Along with the Edison Birthplace home, a separate museum, the Milan Historical Museum has been the respository of Edison memorabilia.

Play Edison cylinder and disc phonographs with the old cylinders and records, see light bulbs, banks, spark plugs and bottles of Edison brand battery oil. There are old photographs of Edison visiting Milan, Edison signed portraits and letters, commemoratives of the anniversaries of the electric light, including replicas of the first light bulb, medals and a stamp set signed by Edison's daughter Madelaine Sloane.

The portrait of Thomas A. Edison above was painted by Ellis M. Silvette in 1926. The great American inventor was then 79 years old and just about to begin his intensive four-year search for a practical domestic source of natural rubber which could be used in time of war or other national emergency. In 1928, in recognition of his numerous contributions to the welfare of mankind, he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. 
 
Go to the glass room to view a unique plaque created by Frederick Carder for Stuben with the head of Edison, given by Henry Ford as table favors at a banquet celebrating the Golden Jubilee of the electric light in 1929. Our archives stock old newspaper articles, postcards and magazines, all devoted to Edison. There is even a sheet of music called "Thomas A. Edison, Miracle Man", composed in 1929 by George M. Cohan as a tribute for the Golden Jubilee. Milan's greatest citizen can be found in nooks and crannies all over Milan Historical Museum.