Place

Myron Thomas Photography Studios

The Shamokin studio where Thomas Edison sat for one of his best-known portraits.

Thomas Edison portrait associated with Myron Thomas Photography Studio in Shamokin
Thomas Edison portrait associated with Myron Thomas Photography StudioThomas Edison portrait associated with Myron Thomas Photography Studio in Shamokin.Image date unknown

At Myron Thomas Photography Studios, Edison sat for a portrait during one of his Shamokin visits.

Edison Sits for a Portrait

In an October 18, 1898 letter, Edison asked Thomas for two dozen copies in several sizes. He explained that he gave photographs to friends and wanted the Shamokin portrait because he considered it the best likeness Thomas had made of him.

A Letter Back to Shamokin

The surviving letter and portrait turn this stop into a personal connection between Edison and a Shamokin photographer, not simply another electrical installation.

A Letter Back to Shamokin

The exact studio location still needs field or archival confirmation before GPS stamps are finalized.

Why This Place Matters

Edison requested 24 prints: one 11-by-14 portrait, three cabinet photographs, and 20 smaller images. Photography studios relied on careful control of pose and light, creating a fitting connection between two changing technologies. The request came years after the sitting, evidence that Edison continued to value the Shamokin portrait.

Location

Shamokin, PA