Expansion planned for Thomas Edison museum
BY CHRIS GAETANO Staff Writer
Conceptual plans for the a large-scale expansion to the Menlo Park Museum, which seeks to educate the public about the work and impact of Thomas Alva Edison, are set to be unveiled on April 3.

The project seeks to add an educational facility to the grounds that could be from 5,400 to 22,300 square feet. It is the hope of the Edison Memorial Tower Corp. (EMTC), the nonprofit that manages the education center, that the site will act as a comprehensive science and technology center for the community.

"The reasons we are calling it an education center instead of a museum is we're looking beyond the traditional museum," said Nancy Zerbe, president of the EMTC. "We want to tell the important history of Thomas Edison and what he did, and one of the most important aspects of Menlo Park is where Edison really created the modern research model, and we want to talk about invention and innovation."

Zerbe said that this theme of invention and innovation will be explored through exhibits about the history ofMenlo Park itself, as well as some hands-on exhibits where visitors can explore the idea of innovation and invention itself that could foster discussions. "We wanted to be based in history, but [also] to see how those themes are relevant today," said Zerbe.

Anothermajor aspect that Zerbewanted to get across was that the new facility will also integrate the Edison Tower, an obelisk built by those who worked with the famous inventor in order to honor his accomplishments.

Restoration of the tower, which currently is suffering from heavy water damage, is a high priority for the EMTC; the costs are estimated to be about $3 million. Zerbe said that currently, the two are in separate locations, though they are related. This new project, she said, would bring them together.

"The architects have developed a museum or educational facility that integrates the two so [that] as you are in the entrance to the museum, you will be looking at exhibits in Menlo Park about its history but also look at and view Edison Tower," said Zerbe.

The conceptual plans will be shown to the public during a meeting April 3 at 7 p.m. at the municipal building in the council chambers. Edison residents are encouraged to attend. The museum is located at 37 Christie St. within Edison State Park.