Announcements
Amazon & Gershow Recycling Support Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe for Most Successful Annual Metal for Tesla Earth Day Event to Date
Shoreham, NY – Each Spring Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe hosts an annual Metal for Tesla event to raise funds to renovate Wardenclyffe into a global science center and museum. Our totals are in, this year with the help and support of Gershow Recycling and Amazon we had a record-breaking year, collecting a total of 20,464 lbs.or 9.14 tons!
Wardenclyffe is of great historic importance, not only to residents of New York State, but to citizens of the United States and, indeed, of the world. Nikola Tesla was a visionary scientist whose contributions have greatly benefitted humankind. His system of producing alternating current electricity is the foundation of our modem electric grid. Tesla was a prodigious inventor, holding almost 300 patents for inventions such as the induction motor, vertical takeoff vehicle, radio, remote control, x-ray technology, robotics, and more.
Wardenclyffe is the last laboratory in existence where Tesla worked. In addition, the beautiful brick laboratory building was designed by Tesla’s friend, world-renowned architect Stanford White, further adding to its historic and cultural value. Wardenclyffe is now being renovated into a science center for education, research, and entrepreneurship that will continue Nikola Tesla’s work to advance science for the betterment of humanity.
Since this initiative began in 2013, dedicated volunteers have collected 312,772 lbs. or 156.335 tons of metal to help fund the restoration of Tesla’s only remaining laboratory and the Wardenclyffe site. In 2022, we expanded this effort to for the benefit of both the lab and our planet. TSCW Board Member Gene Genova explains, “This program brings us full circle from the 1917 demolition of the tower for scrap metal to today when we’re raising funds by recycling metal for the restoration of the Tesla Laboratory.”
TSCW is presently engaged in a $20 million capital campaign, with Metal for Tesla serving as one of its fundraising initiatives. This endeavor depends on the backing of the Long Island community and collaborations with local businesses to realize the vision of establishing a global science center.
On Earth Day, April 20, the 2024 Metal for Tesla event was sponsored by Gershow Recycling, with an unexpected contribution from Amazon. Despite inclement weather, the event thrived, buoyed by the enthusiasm of volunteers and the generosity of the community. Amazon’s delivery of two truckloads of metal underscored their commitment to supporting scientific and engineering endeavors, aligning with the spirit of Earth Day and fostering community engagement.
“We are honored to partner with the Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe and contribute to their mission of preserving Tesla’s legacy,” expressed Garcia Carley, a representative from Amazon, emphasizing the company’s dedication to nurturing science and innovation within communities.
The event, sponsored by Gershow Recycling, featured educational sessions on recycling, complemented by historical tours and interactive exhibits, culminating in the distribution of community appreciation gifts. David Seiler, a representative from Gershow Recycling, stated, “when Tesla Science Center invited us to get involved, we immediately agreed. It’s important to our company’s culture to give back to our community and to provide opportunities for people to learn about the importance of recycling and its connection to science and engineering.”
Despite the cold and rainy weather on Earth Day, our dedicated volunteers were undeterred, and visitors enjoyed small historical tours, hands-on exhibitions, and live music. County Legislator Chad Lennon was among the attendees, engaging with the exhibits and expressing his appreciation for the volunteers’ efforts. Legislator Lennon said, it was “I really enjoyed helping out and engaging with the hands-on exhibits, learning about the engineering principles Nikola Tesla developed that are fundamental to our daily lives and future.”
Tesla Science Center extends its gratitude to Amazon, Gershow Recycling, local businesses and especially the 30 volunteers who led the event. Their dedication and support were instrumental in making this Earth Day a memorable and impactful celebration for our community. Visit us at teslasciencecenter.org to learn more.
Metal recycling has a surprising history at Wardenclyffe. In 1901, Nikola Tesla embarked on a project at Wardenclyffe in Shoreham, NY, aiming to create a Radio City with wireless communication and power transmission capabilities. Funded by JP Morgan, Tesla enlisted architect Stanford White to construct a laboratory and a 187-foot tower. However, financial troubles arose, leading to the project’s halt in 1903. Despite efforts to revive it, Tesla faced debts to the Waldorf Astoria Hotel heirs, compounded by the death of his friend John Jacob Astor in the Titanic disaster. Forced by financial strain, Tesla lost Wardenclyffe in 1915, with the tower being demolished and sold for scrap in 1917, resulting in a meager profit of $1,750 above salvage costs.
First image of TSCW volunteers and Amazon employees unloading a truck, second image of TSCW volunteers and Amazon employees unloading a truck filled with metal donated by Amazon.
First image, David Seiler from Gershow Recycling, Marc Alessi, Executive Director of TSCW, Suffolk County Legislator Chad Lennon, TSCW Board Member Gene Genova, and some of the volunteers who ran the event and fundraiser.
Second image, Dave Seiler (left), Account Executive, Gershow Recycling, is joined by members of the TSCW during the Metal for Tesla event on April 20. Also pictured; front row (left to right) Brayden Rowe, Student Volunteer; Paul Rosa, Volunteer; Gene Genova, Board Member; Justin Rowe, Student Volunteer; Rich Rubin and Judy Black, Volunteers. Back row (left to right); Jeff Brown and Ryan Kinser, Volunteers; Steve Kuhn, Member of the Facilities and Grounds Team; Karl Sedenius and Jim Wuttke, Volunteers.
Image of Wardenclyffe Tower being dynamited in the summer of 1917.
About Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe
Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe (TSCW) was established with the objective of acquiring and preserving the last remaining laboratory of Nikola Tesla at Wardenclyffe. After raising $1.37 million from over 33,000 donors across 108 countries, TSCW was successful in acquiring the 16.43-acre property designed by renowned architect Stanford White. Since then, the center has initiated the process of restoring and redeveloping the site.
Presently, with more than $14 million raised towards a $20 million capital campaign and the necessary permits in place, construction has begun for the first phase of a multi-phase project. The center, listed on the National Historic Register and supported by a growing community of 165,000, is steadfast in its commitment to transform the site into a science center of global significance.
TSCW is dedicated to honoring Tesla’s spirit of invention, offering innovative learning experiences, advancing new technologies, and safeguarding Tesla’s legacy within a dedicated museum. It is through this mission that TSCW intends to inspire future generations to delve into science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM), offering a variety of events and educational programs to achieve this.
