Hearthstone Historic House Museum Admission: Edison's First Home

This house was the first in the world to have Edison's hydroelectric power, not a museum recreation of it.

Hearthstone Historic House Museum admission in Appleton includes a guided tour of an 1882 Queen Anne Victorian home: the first house anywhere lit by an Edison central power station. A trained docent leads you through the original rooms, discussing the house's architecture, the families who lived there, and Edison's inventive legacy. The first floor and lower level are wheelchair accessible via electric lift. The second floor is stairs only.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Hearthstone Historic House Museum

• Arrive at Hearthstone Museum
• Join guided tour with docent
• Explore Edison and hydroelectric exhibits
• Learn about house history and architecture

The experience

What made Appleton one of only three cities in the world to get Edison's central power station first? Henry J. Rogers, the superintendent of the Appleton Paper and Pulp Mill, decided to invest in Edison's technology to light two paper mills and his own home. On September 30, 1882, Hearthstone became that home, and the house still has the original Thomas Edison electroliers and light switches that powered it then. Since 1987, when it opened as a museum, the focus has been on preserving those artifacts and the rooms around them.

A trained docent guides you through the house, walking you past exhibits dedicated to Edison, his inventive legacy, electricity, and the history of hydroelectricity at Hearthstone. You'll see the original fixtures and learn how the house's architecture reflects its moment in history, plus the stories of the families who lived there over more than a century. The tour runs one to two hours depending on how much you want to explore the various educational exhibits.

The first floor and lower level are accessible via an electric lift. The second floor requires stairs. Public transportation options are available nearby, and the museum itself is wheelchair accessible on the ground level. Children are welcome from age 5, and infants can sit on an adult's lap during the tour.

What’s included

• Professional guide included.
• admission to all ground-level and lower-level exhibits.
• access to the original Edison electroliers and historic rooms.

Before you book

Days and timesThursday to SundayDepartures at 10:30, 12:00, 13:30 and 15:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Child (5 to 17 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideSpanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Hearthstone Historic House Museum

Is this one for you?Book this if you're without a car in Appleton. The museum is on a direct public transit line, and a professional guide walks you through the house's original Edison electroliers and 1882 electrical innovations rather than reading placards solo.

Traveler reviews

4.91★★★★★★★★★★

75 verified traveler reviews

5 ★71

4 ★3

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★1

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 17 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What exactly is on display at Hearthstone?

The museum preserves the original Thomas Edison electroliers, light switches, and the rooms of the 1882 Queen Anne Victorian home itself. Exhibits focus on Edison's inventive legacy, electricity, and the history of hydroelectricity at Hearthstone, along with information about the families who lived in the house.

How long does the guided tour take?

Tours run between one and two hours, depending on how much time you spend with the various educational exhibits and how many questions you have for the docent.

Is Hearthstone accessible if I use a wheelchair?

The first floor and lower level are wheelchair accessible via an electric lift. The second floor is accessible only by stairs due to the historic nature of the mansion, so your tour will focus on the ground level and lower level rooms.

Can I visit Hearthstone without a car?

Yes, public transportation options are available near the museum in Appleton, so you can reach it without driving.