"This place matters" read signs held by supporters gathered in the dappled shade next to the 16-acre site. The red brick building that was once Tesla's lab stood a few hundred feet away, with boards over its windows and vines beginning to creep at its foundation.
A nonprofit organization, the Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe, formerly known as Friends of Science East, would like to see the building, which was erected more than a century ago, transformed into a museum and science center.
The site has historical significance, said the group's president Jane Alcorn, because it is the last remaining laboratory of Tesla, who can be credited with many discoveries and inventions that impact society today, including the alternating current power system, the bladeless steam turbine, spark plugs to start cars, early x-rays and the formative patents that led to the invention of radio.
And though the plan to turn the building into a museum and science center is still just that a plan -- momentum for the group's vision of the property is gaining steam.
Assemblyman Marc Alessi (D-Shoreham), took the occasion to make a special announcement: a $350,000 state grant to serve as a down payment to be used for the protection and preservation of the 16-acre site.
County Legislator Dan Losquadro (R-Shoreham) said the county is moving forward to acquire the property from its current owner, Belgian photographic film company Agfa-Geveart. In January, the county passed a resolution to allow it to begin the planning process to acquire the property. If Agfa agrees to sell the property, Mr. Losquadro said, the county is ready to move forward, with support from both the legislature and the county executive's office.
Brookhaven Town is "absolutely committed" to the preservation effort, said supervisor Mark Lesko, who was present along with Councilwoman Jane Bonner.
"We will be financially supportive, we'll be supportive in terms of in-kind work to remove some of the structures on this property, and we'll work with everyone to make this happen," Mr. Lesko said. That in-kind work is worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, Ms. Bonner added.
Tesla's importance has been underappreciated for too long, Ms. Alcorn said. The science center envisioned by the nonprofit group would be dedicated to educating students and families about science, as well as pursuing Tesla's research into energy by establishing a "living museum where research continues in his honor," Ms. Alcorn said. A museum and science center will generate interest in energy research, specifically into Tesla's work, she added.
State Senator Ken LaValle (R-Port Jefferson) said that with support at every government level, he thinks the acquisition of the property will become a reality.
"When that happens, my experience is you will have success," he said. "Will this happen? Absolutely."
The effort to preserve the property is a test, Mr. Lesko said.
"If we can't preserve this property, shame on all of us," he said.
asnyder@northshoresun.com