The Journey
In 1903, construction was nearly complete on Tesla’s wireless transmitting tower at Wardenclyffe. Built directly on the south side of his stately brick laboratory, the tower soared nearly twenty stories high and was a technological wonder designed to transmit energy and information around the globe. But the project was shut down in 1903 due to a lack of funds, and in 1917 the tower was dismantled and sold for scrap metal. Wardenclyffe was also sold, and the laboratory building and grounds were used for commercial business until 1987, when the last company ceased business operations there.
Wardenclyffe was unused for almost twenty years, until the property drew the interest of board members of a science museum in nearby Shoreham-Wading River High School. The museum needed more room for its growing programs, and the board was looking for larger off-campus space when Wardenclyffe was thought of as a potential future home. Amazingly, the last remaining laboratory of one of history’s greatest scientists was standing vacant in the neighborhood. Although the 16-acre site was suffering from neglect, the brick laboratory still existed, along with the base of Tesla’s famous tower — an octagonal ring of cement and granite blocks, each sporting a thick metal stud that once connected to the tower.
Several members of the school museum board decided to create Friends of Science East, Inc. (FSE), an offshoot organization with a dedicated mission: to preserve Wardenclyffe and develop it into a science and education center that continues Tesla’s legacy of technological innovation and humanitarianism. FSE immediately set about gaining support. They educated representatives from Brookhaven Town, Suffolk County, New York State, and Shoreham Village about Nikola Tesla, and garnered the support of various fraternal, civic, and business groups.
This effort led to a crucial milestone: New York State pledged a matching grant of $850,000, meaning that every dollar raised—up to that amount—would be doubled. Each contribution played a vital role in reaching the goal and securing the future of Wardenclyffe.
The effort to save Wardenclyffe—the site of Nikola Tesla’s final laboratory—could not continue without financial support. In August 2012, help arrived in the form of internet cartoonist Matt Inman, creator of The Oatmeal (TheOatmeal.com). Drawn to Tesla’s story and the mission of preserving Wardenclyffe, Inman partnered with the Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe (TSCW) to launch an ambitious online crowdfunding campaign called “Operation: Let’s Build a Goddamn Tesla Museum.”
The campaign was a historic success, raising $1.37 million through Indiegogo from over 33,000 donors worldwide, raising $450,00 in the first 24 hours! With Inman’s involvement, the support of donors worldwide, and the NYS matching grant, the non-profit Tesla Science Center achieved its long-standing goal in May 2013 and bought Wardenclyffe.
The success of the campaign was just the beginning. As momentum grew in the effort to save Wardenclyffe, Friends of Science East received approval to operate under a new name: Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe (TSCW). From that point forward, the organization became known as TSCW, solidifying its identity and mission.
After purchasing the property, TSCW launched a massive cleanup operation as the first phase of its ambitious restoration efforts. The organization quickly assembled a dedicated team of volunteers who began systematically tackling the site’s overgrowth and decay.
The initial focus was on securing the property and safeguarding its historic elements. Volunteer crews worked tirelessly to reveal and preserve the site’s hidden treasures, including the remnants of Tesla’s iconic tower base. Their efforts included clearing invasive vegetation, chipping wood, collecting scattered metal, and cleaning up loading docks and the guard house. Preparatory landscaping was performed across the grounds, while floodlights were installed to enhance safety and visibility.
The progress was transformative. The grounds, once obscured by overgrowth, were well-maintained, with neatly trimmed grass surrounding the octagon-shaped concrete and Fordham Gneiss base—the only surviving element of Tesla’s original tower. With the removal of debris and vegetation, the red brick laboratory building, long hidden from view, is now visible from the perimeter, symbolizing the promise of a restored Wardenclyffe.
This monumental effort not only revitalized the site but also galvanized a sense of community and purpose, setting the stage for the next chapters in preserving Tesla’s legacy.
In preparation for the dedication of a Tesla statue—gifted to Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe by the People’s Republic of Serbia—an extensive site beautification effort continued. Volunteers and contractors worked tirelessly to elevate and level the ground, construct a foundation and fenced enclosure, install electrical services, set up light poles, lay decorative stones, and reseed and mulch the tower base.
The bronze statue, created by Serbian artist Nikola Jankovic, stands on a granite base and depicts Nikola Tesla gazing thoughtfully at an object in his hands. Positioned prominently facing Route 25A, the statue was unveiled on September 23, 2013, by Serbian President Tomislav Nikolić in a ceremony attended by over 300 supporters from around the globe.
President Nikolić, who was visiting the United States for the United Nations General Assembly, presented the statue as a symbol of Tesla’s legacy and a gift from Serbia. The event drew international attention and included dignitaries, local officials, and musical performances by the Shoreham-Wading River High School and a Serbian violinist and dancers.
In recognition of their dedication to Wardenclyffe’s restoration, TSCW’s volunteers were named People of the Year 2013 by local media, solidifying their place in the community’s history as champions of Tesla’s legacy.
Between 2013 and early 2016, regular cleanup sessions transformed the overgrown former industrial site into a more accessible and inviting campus. Thanks to the dedication of volunteers and support from contractors much of the invasive growth on the main campus has been brought under control. As a result, large sections of the site, including Tesla’s historic laboratory and the nearby tower base, are now visible from outside the perimeter fence.
A significant milestone was the TSCW team’s relocation from an off-site location to a temporary structure on the Wardenclyffe grounds, marking the beginning of a critical new phase in the establishment of Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe.
Wardenclyffe’s journey to historic recognition was marked by an unprecedented show of global support. A record-breaking 9,500 endorsements poured in from around the world, urging the New York Division of Historic Preservation to grant it historic status. In response, the division voted unanimously to nominate Wardenclyffe, leading to a remarkable milestone in 2018—its official listing on both the National and New York State Registers of Historic Places.
This prestigious designation, administered by the National Park Service, affirms Wardenclyffe’s historical, architectural, and cultural significance, securing its place as an invaluable piece of American history. As the last remaining laboratory of Nikola Tesla, Wardenclyffe stands as a global symbol of innovation and a lasting tribute to one of the world’s greatest inventors, ensuring that his legacy continues to inspire generations to come.
The restoration of the chimney and cupola marked a pivotal chapter in the ongoing efforts to preserve its historic site. The chimney had reached a critical state of deterioration, weakened by age, weather, and years of neglect. Emergency renovations commenced in February 2020, made possible through the generous support of the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation and the Musk Foundation.
As work progressed, an unexpected discovery captured the imagination of the restoration team: an arched brick opening at the base of the eastern chimney wall, previously unknown. This intriguing feature underscores the rich history embedded in the structure and has sparked further questions about its original purpose.
TSCW remains committed to uncovering these historical mysteries. With ongoing fundraising efforts, the organization aims to continue exploring this discovery in collaboration with experts in historic architecture and archaeology, ensuring the site’s preservation for future generations.
As public interest in Nikola Tesla and his groundbreaking work continued to rise, Wardenclyffe gained recognition through several high-profile documentaries aired on the History Channel, Discovery Channel, and Science Channel. These programs explored Tesla’s visionary ideas and conducted investigations into the long-standing rumors of underground tunnels beneath the base of the tower. While no definitive evidence of these tunnels has been uncovered, speculation surrounding Tesla’s subterranean designs continues to captivate researchers, historians, and the public alike, fueling ongoing fascination with the site’s mysteries.
On April 27, 2023 Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe officially broke ground on the construction of the Eugene Sayan Visitor Center and the site’s demolition phase, marking a transformative step in our journey to establish a world-class museum and learning center.
This milestone was made possible by the generous support of Mr. Eugene Sayan, CEO of Softheon, and an Empire State Development grant from New York State. The event featured inspiring speeches, a ceremonial shovel turning, and a celebration of the future of Tesla’s legacy.
The Eugene Sayan Visitor Center will serve as a hub for learning, allowing us to expand programming, showcase Tesla’s contributions to science and technology, and engage with the community as we develop the interior of Nikola Tesla’s Wardenclyffe Laboratory. Additionally, this phase will clear 110,000 sq ft of non-historical, dilapidated structures, paving the way for site preservation and future developments.
On November 21, 2023, a devastating fire struck the historic Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe. Despite the damage, the laboratory remains standing, and the mission to preserve Tesla’s legacy is stronger than ever. As we embark on the careful stabilization and restoration of Wardenclyffe, our commitment to quality and progress remains unwavering. This critical work will safeguard Tesla’s visionary innovations and ensure this global symbol of inspiration is fully restored. Learn more about the impact of the fire and our restoration efforts here. Together, we can rebuild and honor Tesla’s enduring legacy.
