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Thursday, November 30, 2023 ~ Volume 69 ~ Issue Number 6 ~ $1.00
Nikola Tesla’s Last Existing Laboratory
Photo by Matt Meduri
Fire at Wardenclyffe Lab
Severely Damaged in Fire
Nikola Tesla (1856-1943)
By Matt Meduri Long Island is known for its rich history, famous beaches, and national significance throughout many eras of United States history. Additionally, it’s known for its relatively high number of celebrities, historical figures, landmarks, and cultural touchstones it has produced over the last few centuries. It’s also no secret that some of those iconic, famous, and/or historical assets are, in and of themselves, relative “secrets” of Long Island as well. Perhaps the best example is that of Wardenclyffe Laboratory in the tiny north shore Village of Shoreham. The Lab was one of many of the world-famous inventor Nikola Tesla but is the only one that is still extant today. The Lab’s historical society has been devout in preserving and renovating the structure, but unfortunately faced a devastating setback on November 21, as a large fire of indeterminate cause severely damaged the lab. A funding cause is now underway, and all levels of government are pledging to work together to not only rebuild the world-famous laboratory, but put it on a path of preservation and education for future generations to enjoy. The current investigation into the fire shows that the north side of the building has been mostly affected, including the roof, steel girders, and a portion of a wall.
The Tesla Science Center says that while “most of the laboratory’s core structure remains intact, some elements have been irreparably lost.” The Center also says that the northern side of the roof has been partially destroyed, along with the chimney and cupola. They also say that water damage from the firefighting efforts put the integrity of the brickwork into jeopardy, especially as the colder months set in causing the trapped moisture to freeze and further damage the structure. Thankfully, no historical artifacts and documents were lost or damaged in the fire, according to the Center. All artifacts are “safely stored offsite, in accordance with the standards set by the History and Collections Committee.” Before the fire, a $20 million restoration project was planned for the laboratory. Although the setback from the fire is major, the Center is still committed to moving forward with the planned renovation efforts. The Center says that moving forward, they aim to “preserve as much of the original laboratory as possible, despite the loss of a portion in the fire.” They are also “devoted to maintaining historical accuracy and recognize the laboratory as a symbol of hope and innovation globally.” Continued on page 3
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