Candles glow at the Hearthstone Historic House Museum in Appleton, Wisconsin. But on September 30, 1882, the two-story, 9,000-square-foot, limestone-brick residence became the first in the world to light its interior using hydroelectricity. It came from a central system designed by Thomas Edison. In fact, the standard command to “turn the lights on” literally originated in this house. Visitors to the house museum can view aspects of the lighting system, including original and working Edison electroliers (light fixtures), light switches, and wiring.
Hearthstone Historic House has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1974, primarily for the technological milestone that took place there. The Fox River, which flows across central and east-central Wisconsin and directly through Appleton, allowed for the possibility of hydroelectricity. This new, green energy source came at a time when the Industrial Revolution was responsible for excess pollutants pouring into the atmosphere.
