The "Black Maria" site study - Edison National Historic Site - West Orange, New Jersey
Svejda GJ. 1969. The "Black Maria" site study - Edison National Historic Site - West Orange, New Jersey. Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, National Park Service
This Site Location Study of the “Black Maria,” Buildling No. 13, H-20, Edison National Historic Site, discusses the reasons for the construction of the first original motion picture studio, its physical description, its location, the building of a replica, and finally a proposition for a new location for this replica. It has been said that the book is the source of knowledge; however, knowledge can also be gathered through experience, as is demonstrated by the example of Thomas A. Edison, whose vision brought him to the construction of the “Black Maria.” “Where there is no vision, the people perish,” states the Book of Proverbs (29:18). This idea surely applied to the era of Thomas A. Edison, who built his motion picture studio in 1893, as it applies not to our own age, with its moon shots, social upheavals and unprecedented opportunities. We should think, pray and work in terms of the “whole world” instead of our own back yard. Mankind will then benefit now as it has from the inventions of Thomas A. Edison.