Historic Structures Report, Part I: Black Maria (Bldg. 13)
Weig MJ, Speiden NR, Souder NM. 1966. Historic Structures Report, Part I: Black Maria (Bldg. 13). Historic Structure Report. U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
The Black Maria, Building No. 13, at Edison National Historic Site, erected by the Thomas Alva Edison Foundation in 1954, is a generally faithful reproduction of the original structure used by Thomas Alva Edison at his famous West Orange Laboratory as the first motion picture studio in the world. It has tremendous popular historical appeal, and during the summer months serves as a theater where Site visitors may see both old and present day motion picture films and slide shows on the Edison story as a feature of guided Laboratory tours. In the "Historical Data" section of this report the story of why the original Black Maria came to be erected, how it was used by Thomas Edison and his associates, where it was located, and what structural changes occurred during its relatively short span of existence is told at some length. The tarpaper covering of the structure shows marked deterioration in a number of places, and a new roof covering also needs to be installed as replacement for the temporary reroofing put on with regular area maintenance funds in 1963. There is also increasing evidence of rot in the wood sheathing and related framing members caused by water leaking in under the tarpaper or as a result of poor flashing protection. Various metal parts besides flashing, such as the chimney pipe, have likewise rusted out and will require replacement.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Weig, Melvin; Speiden, Norman; Souder, Norman
- Date of Issue
- 1966-12-01
- Publisher
- U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
- Units
- EDIS , NER
- Keywords
- film, rehabilitation, roofing, tarpaper, Thomas Edison
- Subjects
- CRIS-HS: 000280: Edison Laboratories - Black Maria