In Shoreham, Tesla Science Center awarded $500K for lab restoration

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The Shoreham-based Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe was awarded a $500,000 grant from New York State Parks.

The funding was provided to support the restoration of what the center described as inventor Nikola Tesla’s “only known surviving laboratory in the world.” The grant would help the nonprofit’s recovery and rebuilding efforts after a destructive fire in November 2023.

“This grant is a tremendous step forward in our recovery journey,” Marc Alessi, executive director of Tesla Science Center, said in a news release about the grant.

“We are deeply grateful to New York State Parks for their support in preserving this iconic site and advancing our vision for its future,” he added.

The project’s total cost increased from an estimated $20 million to $24 million, due to additional fire damage and adjustments for inflation. To date, the organization has raised $14 million.

The $500,000 grant comes as Tesla Science Center renews its capital campaign to restore the lab and “complete its transformation into a world-class educational and innovation hub,” according to the news release.

The 2023 fire caused extensive damage to the 10,000-square-foot laboratory, destroying critical features of the 1901 building, including its roof, chimney and cupola. The official cause of the fire remains undetermined, though evidence points to contractor error, with sparks from contractors using blowtorches likely ignited the fire, according to Alessi.

Although the organization’s insurance company issued a payout, Tesla Science Center said that the payout falls short of covering the damage. The organization has removed the contractor responsible for the work and is actively appealing the contractor’s insurance denial of liability.

The $500,000 grant will help the organization with its efforts to clear debris, assess the building’s structural integrity and protect it from further weather-related damage.

The organization is working with the Town of Brookhaven to secure permits for the new welcome center, which will include exhibit space and a classroom. Construction is expected to begin in 2025, offering new educational opportunities for students across Long Island.

Once fully restored, the 16-acre Tesla Science Center campus will be designed to serve as “a global hub for innovation, education and imaginative thinking, featuring a museum, science labs and a business incubator,” according to the news release. In addition, the renovated center will aim to spur economic activity as a tourist destination, bringing in business for nearby restaurants, hotels, shops and service providers, while also bringing jobs.

“Preserving Tesla’s legacy right here in Shoreham is not only an opportunity to inspire future generations, but also a way to drive economic growth and strengthen our community,” Alessi said. “We invite Long Islanders to join us in this effort to restore a global treasure.”

Tesla Science Center will be hosting fundraising events as it spreads the word about its recovery efforts.