Edison Caretaker's Yard

Edison Caretaker's Yard. . Edison created a large domestic support area for the Estate on the east side of McGregor Boulevard. Storage buildings, equipment, a truck garden, and even a horse were located there. On the west side, retaining and expanding the Caretaker’s House on the northern end of the main Estate provided a like space, though on a smaller scale. A "hog wire" fence separated the domestic support area in the early years. Wheelbarrows, wagons, ladders, rakes, and garden tools were often visible., A warehouse was built in this section and used to store the materials for the houses during construction. More than likely it continued to store various estate supplies until being moved to the east side in 1913. A large chicken house and run were located close to the house. The staff and the family relied on and welcomed fresh eggs and chickens. This large structure was razed when the existing cistern was built in 1919. A smaller house and run were then built., Bee hives were also located in the yard. R.W. Kellow, a secretary to Mr. Edison, describes in a 1917 report of the Estate, “I understand that a portion of the honey produced is consumed by the Edison family during the occupancy of the estate, but that it has not been the practice to have any of the honey shipped to Orange.” (West Orange, New Jersey, where the main Edison home is located.)