Thomas Edison and the Railroads
Presented by Dave Vago

Dave Vago

Join us at the October membership meeting for a special presentation by Dave Vago, “Thomas Edison and the Railroads.”

Dave will explore the many ways inventor Thomas A. Edison crossed paths with the railroad throughout his life and career. His presentation will examine innovations that helped advance railroad technology, as well as the everyday relationship between Edison's enterprises and the railroads that carried the materials, products, and people that kept them in motion. Through these examples, Dave will show how railroad culture formed an important part of the broader American industrial story.

Dave Vago is a career museum and historic preservation professional specializing in the planning, management, and development of programs at sites devoted to historic industry, technology, and transportation. Over the course of his career, he has worked with a wide variety of public and private organizations across the country, including the Savannah Roundhouse, Cass Scenic Railroad and historic coal camp communities in West Virginia, copper mining sites in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Alcatraz, and the Grand Canyon.

Today, Dave serves as Head Curator at Thomas Edison’s laboratory complex and home estate in West Orange, New Jersey. He is also President of the Society for Industrial Archeology and an avid model railroader.

We hope you will join us for what promises to be a fascinating look at the connection between one of America’s best-known inventors and the railroads that helped shape the nation.

NOTE ABOUT THE MEMBERSHIP PORTION OF THE MEETING: We will be presenting our plan to merge Tri-State with the United Railroad Historical Society of New Jersey, Inc. (URHS). We will hold an open forum for questions from current Tri-State members.

In-Person and Virtual options available

For In-Person Attendees: Our meetings are held at the Gateway Community Resource Center at 513 Birch Street, Boonton, NJ 07005. The center is located in the ground floor of the First Presbyterian Church at the corner of Birch Street and Cornelia Street. An on-site parking lot is available with handicap access. The membership portion of the meeting will start at 7:30 PM, and the presentation should begin around 8:00 PM.

For Virtual Attendees: All of our membership meetings are simulcast on Zoom and our Facebook page. The membership portion of the meeting begins virtually at 7:30 PM. The presentation should begin around 8:00 PM. For Zoom, click here to register in advance for this meeting. Virtual attendees will need to register in advance for the meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Admission is free and all are welcome to attend!

Your membership dollars help keep these meetings free for all to enjoy. Join today here. Or, you can support us by sending a donation here.