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Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe is breaking ground!

April 14, 2023 | By Anthony Capkun



April 14, 2023 – It’s been a long road—and the journey is not yet over—but the Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe will be hosting a groundbreaking ceremony on April 27 for the start of construction. Congratulations!

Some background

On July 30, 2012, a not-for-profit group called Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe (a.k.a. Friends of Science East Inc.) put out the call on Facebook to raise $1.6 million to purchase the Wardenclyffe property from Agfa. The property included the original Tesla building, and the concrete and granite tower foundation.

“The historic significance of the Shoreham [New York] site presents a unique opportunity as it contains the only remaining laboratory where Nikola Tesla—the famous inventor of alternating current electricity and neon lighting—conducted research,” the organization posted on its website.

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The 15.69-acre laboratory site known as Wardenclyffe is where Tesla planned his wireless communications and energy transmission tower in the early 1900s. He was never able to complete the construction of the tower due to lack of funds.

By Spring 2013, Friends of Science East announced that it had purchased the property.

“We have been pursuing this dream with confidence that we would eventually succeed,” said Gene Genova, vice-president of the organization. “We are very excited to be able to finally set foot on the grounds where Tesla walked and worked.”

“Now begin the next important steps in raising the money needed to restore the historic laboratory,” said Mary Daum, treasurer. “We estimate that we will need to raise about $10 million to create a science learning centre and museum worthy of Tesla and his legacy. We invite everyone who believes in science education and in recognizing Tesla for his many contributions to society to join in helping to make this dream a reality.”

LEARN MORE about the journey. WAYS TO GIVE.

Fast-forward to today

The groundbreaking ceremony will mark the first phase of construction at Wardenclyffe, which includes the demolition of non-historic buildings onsite and the restoration of the first building that will serve as the Eugene Sayan Visitor Center.

The visitor centre will be the first building onsite open to the public, where visitors will be able to learn about the life and work of Nikola Tesla, and his contributions to science and technology.

— Anthony Capkun, editor • acapkun@ebmag.com


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