FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT:
Jane Alcorn, President
Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe
(631) 929-8685
www.teslasciencecenter.org
SHOREHAM, NY -- From Albany to Suffolk County and beyond, supporters of the
proposed Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe are gathering at the site on
Tesla Street and Route 25A in Shoreham on Saturday, May 30 at 10 a.m. to
give voice to their desire to see Nikola Tesla’s last remaining laboratory
preserved, and to have their photograph taken there for inclusion on the
National Trust for Historic Preservation website. Among the supporters
expected to attend are NYS Senator Ken LaValle, NYS Assemblyman Marc Alessi,
Suffolk County Legislators Dan Losquadro and Ed Romaine, Brookhaven
Supervisor Mark Lesko, Brookhaven Councilwoman Jane Bonner, Shoreham Civic
President Kevin Ward, and many community residents.
The gathering of people is part of the campaign initiated by the National
Trust for Historic Preservation for the month of May called “This Place
Matters.” People across America have identified important historic
sites that deserve preservation in their communities, and are promoting and
celebrating them through inclusion on the website. The Tesla Science Center
at Wardenclyffe group has identified Tesla’s laboratory as a significant
historic site.
The group has been working towards preservation of this important laboratory
for over a decade. It was designed for Tesla by his friend, renowned
architect Stanford White, in the early part of the last century. Tesla is
known for his patents on radio, alternating current generation, neon
lighting, remote control, and many more. At the Shoreham site, Tesla
constructed a huge, 187-foot tower that was to be the centerpiece of a
worldwide communications and energy transmission system. It was a concept
ahead of its time, but was never completed because Tesla lost his funding
for the project.
“This site should be saved as part of the legacy Tesla left to the world.
His inventions and achievements are just now beginning to be recognized and
developed further. His genius is finally being acknowledged,” said Gene
Genova, vice president of the Tesla Science group.
“We call upon everyone who enjoys the fruits of Tesla’s work, which
means everyone who uses electricity, to join us in working towards the
preservation of this important landmark,” said Chris Wesselborg, secretary
of Tesla Science Center.
“People all over the world are indebted to Tesla and his work for many of
the technological advances we have today. This is the last laboratory where
he worked. Every elected official representing this area, from the Town of
Brookhaven to the Congress, understands this, and the importance of saving
this site,” said Genova.
The property is owned by Agfa Corporation, which has placed it for sale.
The
Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe would like to raise the funds to
purchase it, and has enlisted the aid of local representatives and
supporters in negotiating for the property. Agfa is asking $1.6 million for
the 16-acre parcel.
The Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe is an incorporated not-for-profit
group that has been working towards the preservation of the Tesla
laboratory, and its restoration and re-use as a science center and museum.
For additional information, please contact Jane Alcorn, president of Tesla
Science Center at Wardenclyffe, or visit the website www.teslasciencecenter.org.
