Thomas Edison Center To Reopen This Saturday Amid Pandemic

EDISON, NJ – After being shut for seven months due to COVID-19, the Thomas Edison Center in Menlo Park is set to reopen on Oct. 24.

The museum dedicated to Thomas Alva Edison is nestled inside a 36-acre state park and is home to various inventions and artifacts owned by the innovator.

For now, the museum will open only on Saturdays, with a limit on the number of visitors.

“It’s all very new to us, so we are going to take the reopening slow and see how it goes from there,” museum director Kathleen Carlucci told Patch.

Visitors will be allowed into the museum only after making prior reservations. At the entrance, each visitor will have their temperatures checked. Masks and social distancing rules are mandatory.

During the state-wide shutdown Carlucci spent her time updating exhibits, and attending panels and press conferences to learn how businesses and non-profits were planning to reopen.

She took those ideas and then prepared a plan for the museum.

“Of course, our museum is small, and we had to scale down to suit our needs. I worked with the Edison Township Health Director to implement this plan to keep our visitors safe,” she said.

The museum is now equipped with plexiglass dividers, hand sanitizer stations and a portable toilet outside, which is to be cleaned regularly.

Just last week, the museum finished work on installing a new air purification system.

The museum is implementing a limit on the number of people taking the tour.

“Only six people are allowed per tour, with masks and social distancing. But if a group or family of 10 come in, and they’ve been in a bubble, we will allow it,” said Carlucci.

Visitors from outside the state need to quarantine for 14 days before visiting the museum.

The museum is one of Edison’s major draws, attracting families and children interested in science and innovation.

“We are allowed to open at 50 percent capacity, but we will be below that limit, so I think we are fine,” said Carlucci.

Although the museum’s gift shop is closed, visitors can purchase items online.

Those interested in visiting the Thomas Edison Center, can book their tickets here: https://www.purplepass.com/?fbclid=IwAR1n5RbQJXIi7IfrzUchf__IGksk3u51dtk_k0_7UUHq_F8GBmcouYUP2u8#208409/EMTC/Thomas_Edison_Center_at_Menlo_Park-Museum_Tickets-Thomas_Edison_Center_at_Menlo_Park-October-24-2020.html

Meanwhile, COVID cases in the state are seeing an uptick, sparking fears of a second wave. On Monday New Jersey reported 1,192 new cases of coronavirus. Gov. Murphy has advised residents not to travel outside the state.

Massachusetts and New Hampshire have now included New Jersey in their state quarantine list.

Read More Here: Gov. Murphy's New Coronavirus Advice To NJ: Don't Travel

Middlesex County is operating both drive-thru and walk-up COVID-19 testing sites. More information (including the link to make an appointment) can be found here: http://www.middlesexcountynj.gov/Government/Departments/PSH/Pages/COVID-19--Testing.aspxn

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