Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Edison, Thomas Alva (1847-1931) [Contract between The Edison Electric Illuminating Co. of Shamokin, Pennsylvania and Thomas Alva Edison]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05971 Author/Creator: Edison, Thomas Alva (1847-1931) Place Written: Shamokin, Pennsylvania Type: Document signed Date: 4 May 1883 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; 35.1 x 21.6 cm. Order a Copy

Also signed by members of the Edison Electric Illuminating Co., William H. Dougherty, President; John Mullen, Treasurer; and William Beury, Secretary. Signed as a witness by A. Robertson. Agreement to electrify the town of Shamokin, Pennsylvania. Edison agrees to furnish the town with a central station plant and a system of pole lines for $19,209. Details the payment arrangements. Notes dated 15 October 1883 and 25 October 1883 on pages two and three detail information on payments still due and payments made on the account.

Shamokin, Pennsylvania was one of the first completely electrified towns.

Edison, Thomas Alva, 1847-1931

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