This Christmas, Visit The ‘Largest Lump Of Coal In West Orange’

WEST ORANGE, NJ — People looking to put some good-spirited Christmas fear into someone on Santa’s “naughty list” this year might want to pay a trip to the Thomas Edison National Historical Park in West Orange.

On Friday, staff posted a social media message about “the largest piece of coal in West Orange,” which sits between building #3 and #4 at the park.

The huge lump of coal was donated by its former owner, the Watchung Coal Company, in 1966. The president of the company, William Parkinson, was a former mechanical engineer for famed inventor Thomas Edison, the park’s namesake.

According to park staff:

“Coal was used for electricity generation at the laboratory. It even produced enough power for Edison to run electricity from his laboratory to Glenmont, his home in Llewellyn Park!”

Unsurprisingly, the park’s social media post inspired some tongue-in-cheek, holiday-themed comments.

“Wow - even Santa would have trouble delivering that!” one person wrote. “Not that he would have to, since we've ALL been good this year...”

“Someone needs a big stocking for that piece of coal!” another joked.

• See related article: 'World's Largest Nutcracker' Returns To Essex County For Holidays
• See related article: 5 NJ Bars Are Transforming Into 'Christmas Pop-Ups' For 2019

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Don’t forget to visit the Patch West Orange Facebook page. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Sign up for Patch email newsletters.