Exciting changes at Edison Birthplace

MILAN — On the 100th anniversary of Thomas Edison's last trip to his hometown of Milan, Ohio on Aug. 11, 1923, the Edison Birthplace Museum is thrilled to announce plans for a major addition to his humble birthplace with a kick-off capital fundraising campaign to bring the Don Gfell Education Center to life. The late Don Gfell, a lifelong educator from Milan and Edison aficionado, left his mark on Edison's hometown and in the National Statuary Hall where, thanks in large part to Don, a statue of his hero stands in the U.S. Capital. Gfell, a consummate teacher who loved captivating students with hands-on Edison exhibits, amassed a priceless collection of Edison inventions. The Birthplace Museum hopes to display some of those incredible items and incorporate hands-on exhibits, including sound recording and playback and electrical experiments, to amaze visitors. The project involves extensive reconstruction of an existing museum building to accommodate the new attractions and added traffic. The spark of electricity is in the air over the planned Gfell Education Center at the Edison Birthplace Museum. See an architect's rendering of the exciting addition here. The fundraising goal to make it happen is $100,000 and starts today. Contributions can be made online, at Croghan Bank Milan, or at the Edison Birthplace, PO Box 451, Milan, Ohio 44846. All checks can be made out to Edison Birthplace Association. For more information contact Robert Wheeler, Birthplace President, director@tomedison.org or call 419-706-3122.