‘The Thomas Edison Papers’ project shines on national stage

EDISON — “The Thomas Edison Papers” recently came into the spotlight for an event on Capitol Hill that showcased the impact of grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).

Marking the NEH’s 50th anniversary, the Oct. 20 event in Washington, D.C. was hosted by Congressmen Leonard Lance (REssex, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Morris, Somerset, Union, Warren) and David Price (D-N.C.), co-chairs of the Congressional Humanities Caucus.

“For 50 years, the [NEH] has been the trust of some of our country’s greatest talent and treasure. The art, music, poetry and prose that come from American imagination grows our economy through cultural experiences,” said Lance, whose district includes portions of Edison and Woodbridge. “Our nation sees $10 billion annually in revenue to the federal treasury from America’s arts and entertainment sector. The humanities create a multiplier effect for our economy that is undeniable, and the NEH is a great partner in maintaining that economic engine.”

Over the past 50 years, NEH grants to higher education institutions have contributed to thousands of significant discoveries and creations in the humanities, generated economic opportunities in communities nationwide and helped colleges and universities create engaged citizens prepared to contribute to society. Since 1965, NEH has awarded $5.3 billion in grants, of that, $2 billion in grants went to universities and colleges, according to NEH representatives.

A recent $350,000 grant to “The Thomas Edison Papers” — which Congressman Frank Pallone Jr. (D-Monmouth, Middlesex) helped to secure — will allow the team at Rutgers University to move forward with the project.

Begun in 1978, “The Thomas Edison Papers” has had a team of researchers at the university culling through millions of pages of documents from the prolific inventor’s West Orange laboratory and elsewhere to produce eight volumes thus far.

The grant, from NEH’s Scholarly Editions Program, provides funding for the research required for “Volume 9: Competing Interests (1888-1889).” The tome will document a time of particular importance in Edison’s life and work, as well as in his place as a public figure, according to project representatives.

Paul Israel and Rachel Weissenberger, both members of the team at Rutgers, traveled to Washington, D.C., to serve as presenters on the project at the event. “The Thomas A. Edison Papers” was among several projects chosen to attend as a representative example of transformative NEH grants.

In addition, Rutgers was among several higher education organizations that sponsored the event to honor NEH’s contributions to the academic world.

“As a former college president, and now as chairman, I understand how funding from the [NEH] contributes to higher education institutions through support for teachers, research and scholarly collections. This is one of the important ways in which NEH contributes to the broader good of American society,” NEH Chairman William D. Adams said.

To learn more about “The Thomas Edison Papers,” visit http://edison.rutgers.edu.