Today was a travel day, but one that turned out to be surprisingly rich with history and inspiration. We left Philadelphia in the morning, saying goodbye to a city steeped in revolutionary history and heading northeast toward Providence. Rather than take the most direct route, we decided to break up the drive with a stop at the Thomas Edison National Historical Park in West Orange, New Jersey—and it was well worth the detour.

Pulling up to the park, we were immediately struck by how intact and authentic everything felt. Edison’s laboratory complex is preserved like a moment frozen in time—almost as if the great inventor and his team had just stepped out for a break. We toured the main lab building, filled with original tools, notebooks, and machines. Seeing Edison’s private office, with his desk still stacked with papers, gave us a glimpse into the intensity of his work life. It was humbling to be in the same space where inventions like the phonograph and improvements to the electric light were developed.

We also visited the chemistry lab and the recording studio upstairs—arguably one of the first in history. We especially liked seeing all the old gadgets, and we got to listen to some of the earliest audio recordings ever made. It was amazing to consider how this quiet corner of New Jersey once buzzed with world-changing activity.

After the visit, we grabbed a quick bite nearby and got back on the road. The drive to Providence was smooth from there, passing through the lush, green landscape of Connecticut before arriving in Rhode Island by late afternoon. The contrast between Philly’s colonial legacy, Edison’s industrial brilliance, and the creative energy we’re expecting to find in Providence made for an inspiring day of travel through American innovation.

Looking forward to what tomorrow brings in this new city.