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Malaysian Reserve
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Phoenix Rising: Grand Opening of Historic Landmark Where Dianetics & Scientology United
PHOENIX, June 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A newly dedicated L. Ron Hubbard Landmark Site commemorates the unification of Dianetics and Scientology—and stands as a testament to a transformative era. A modest midcentury building at 4451 East Osborn Road in Phoenix was once described by L. Ron Hubbard as 'a beautiful place, in the middle of a citrus grove.' But to the people of Phoenix—and in fact to Scientologists worldwide—it has become so much more than that. On a desert-warm Saturday evening, that heritage building was opened again, reborn as an L. Ron Hubbard Landmark Site. A location of international importance, this is 'where the future changed forever,' said the Church of Scientology Preservationist, who officiated the event and oversaw the site's historic restoration. The forever change referred to was that, from here, L. Ron Hubbard (LRH) not only published Dianetics 55!, but completed the work leading to the legendary Unification Congress, held six miles away at the Phoenix Little Theatre. There, Mr. Hubbard declared that, for the first time ever, two subjects—Dianetics and Scientology—were to be united. That Congress became an event the Journal of Scientology immediately declared as 'the most important thing that ever happened in Dianetics and Scientology.' By 1954, Phoenix had become the center of the Scientology universe. It was the home of the Hubbard Association of Scientologists International (HASI)—located in seven facilities nearby in the heart of downtown Phoenix. Now, some 70 years later, the Osborn Road site is a treasure of midcentury design and Scientology heritage restored to the precise way it appeared when Mr. Hubbard lived and worked there. Built in the Prairie style and touched with Moderne influence, original elements have been returned to how they once were, including the railroad trestle support beams, steel porthole windows and handcrafted maple cabinetry. Even the teardrop-shaped swimming pool and cascading stone waterfall now sparkle in their original mid-1950s splendor. Today, an audience of Scientologists, community leaders and historians gathered at Osborn Road beneath an Arizona setting sun to celebrate a glorious ribbon-pull, opening the restored Landmark Site. Inside, they had the chance to see rare artifacts of history, as visitors can view Mr. Hubbard's original desk where he wrote the milestone work Dianetics 55! Also on view are personal items such as the Hammond S4 Chord Organ Mr. Hubbard enjoyed playing and his Coronado stereo cabinet console that filled the air with waltzes and jazz. Outside, even the glacier-blue Harley-Davidson Hydra-Glide and his 1951 Chevrolet Deluxe Station Wagon have been returned to their full vintage glory. At the opening ceremony, dignitaries echoed the impact Mr. Hubbard had on Phoenix, now the fifth-largest city in the US. City Councilman Kevin Robinson, a retired police officer of 36 years, spoke with pride. 'Phoenix is a city that doesn't just rise—it rises again and again. From ancient canals carved by our Native American ancestors to the neighborhoods of today, this is a place of progress. Phoenix has always been a frontier town, not just in geography, but in spirit,' Robinson said. 'Today we turn another page in this city's history. This is a community achievement, so I extend my gratitude for what you've done for this neighborhood, for what you've achieved for our city and for helping history live again.' Mr. Stan Patton, a heritage restoration specialist with 40 years of experience preserving some of Arizona's most treasured landmarks, spoke of his unrivaled passion for the Osborn Road project. 'What's been accomplished here at this L. Ron Hubbard Landmark Site isn't just building restoration, it's recapturing a place and time. We were committed to bringing back every fixture, every detail as if Mr. Hubbard himself had just stepped out of the room,' Patton added, 'and I believe we accomplished that. In fact, of all the projects I've done, I call this my life's crowning accomplishment!' John Jacquemart, who won the Arizona Governor's Heritage Award for his work on historical sites, spoke of Mr. Hubbard's enduring legacy. 'I've spent my life listening to stories as a historian and an Arizona native. The stories we tell in these parts are the ones about lone riders, long shadows and lawless roads. Yet, the story of L. Ron Hubbard? It's the most compelling of all. While this town was booming, Mr. Hubbard brought a different kind of growth. Not in land or lumber, but in ideas. His lectures filled our most iconic halls with a hunger for knowledge and a vision for the mind and spirit,' he said. 'It's a story Phoenix owns and, starting today, one it will never let go!' Dr. Albert Celoza is the Executive Director of the Arizona Interfaith Movement and received the Arizona Professor of the Year Award. 'Milestones for one religion are milestones for us all. And you could say we stand here in Phoenix on hallowed Scientology soil. After all, it's where L. Ron Hubbard gave voice to a truth shared by all faiths: that man is, at his core, a spiritual being. Here, too, he wrote the Creed of the Church of Scientology,' Dr. Celoza said. 'So I say this with conviction: as an interfaith leader—one who has stood beside rabbis, imams, monks, priests and pastors—I honor L. Ron Hubbard for his contribution to people of all faiths!' This newest L. Ron Hubbard Landmark Site is the second in Phoenix. Just two miles away is another site at the base of Camelback Mountain. Previously opened in 2005, today it is officially recognized on the National Register of Historic Places. All told, there are now eight such Landmark Sites open on three continents, including: Bay Head, New Jersey, where LRH wrote Dianetics, the bestselling book ever on the human mind; Elizabeth, New Jersey, where he formed the first Dianetics Foundation; the Founding Church that Mr. Hubbard established in Washington, DC; the original Hubbard Communications Office on Fitzroy Street in London, England; his Linksfield Ridge estate overlooking Johannesburg, South Africa; and his headquarters at Saint Hill in East Grinstead, England. Each Landmark Site offers a literal and visual history of the work and advances Mr. Hubbard achieved during the time he was at that particular location. Each also features a room devoted to the wider story of Mr. Hubbard's life of global exploration and research—including his pivotal accomplishments here in Phoenix, Arizona. In full, the sites mark Mr. Hubbard's progressive steps to the founding of Dianetics and Scientology. The next Landmark Site is slated to open this summer in Southern Africa—continuing the legacy of Mr. Hubbard's work. Like Osborn Road, each represents a global tribute—preserved in space, alive in time and destined to inspire many more.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Phoenix Rising: Grand Opening of Historic Landmark Where Dianetics & Scientology United
PHOENIX, June 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A newly dedicated L. Ron Hubbard Landmark Site commemorates the unification of Dianetics and Scientology—and stands as a testament to a transformative era. A modest midcentury building at 4451 East Osborn Road in Phoenix was once described by L. Ron Hubbard as "a beautiful place, in the middle of a citrus grove." But to the people of Phoenix—and in fact to Scientologists worldwide—it has become so much more than that. On a desert-warm Saturday evening, that heritage building was opened again, reborn as an L. Ron Hubbard Landmark Site. A location of international importance, this is "where the future changed forever," said the Church of Scientology Preservationist, who officiated the event and oversaw the site's historic restoration. The forever change referred to was that, from here, L. Ron Hubbard (LRH) not only published Dianetics 55!, but completed the work leading to the legendary Unification Congress, held six miles away at the Phoenix Little Theatre. There, Mr. Hubbard declared that, for the first time ever, two subjects—Dianetics and Scientology—were to be united. That Congress became an event the Journal of Scientology immediately declared as "the most important thing that ever happened in Dianetics and Scientology." By 1954, Phoenix had become the center of the Scientology universe. It was the home of the Hubbard Association of Scientologists International (HASI)—located in seven facilities nearby in the heart of downtown Phoenix. Now, some 70 years later, the Osborn Road site is a treasure of midcentury design and Scientology heritage restored to the precise way it appeared when Mr. Hubbard lived and worked there. Built in the Prairie style and touched with Moderne influence, original elements have been returned to how they once were, including the railroad trestle support beams, steel porthole windows and handcrafted maple cabinetry. Even the teardrop-shaped swimming pool and cascading stone waterfall now sparkle in their original mid-1950s splendor. Today, an audience of Scientologists, community leaders and historians gathered at Osborn Road beneath an Arizona setting sun to celebrate a glorious ribbon-pull, opening the restored Landmark Site. Inside, they had the chance to see rare artifacts of history, as visitors can view Mr. Hubbard's original desk where he wrote the milestone work Dianetics 55! Also on view are personal items such as the Hammond S4 Chord Organ Mr. Hubbard enjoyed playing and his Coronado stereo cabinet console that filled the air with waltzes and jazz. Outside, even the glacier-blue Harley-Davidson Hydra-Glide and his 1951 Chevrolet Deluxe Station Wagon have been returned to their full vintage glory. At the opening ceremony, dignitaries echoed the impact Mr. Hubbard had on Phoenix, now the fifth-largest city in the US. City Councilman Kevin Robinson, a retired police officer of 36 years, spoke with pride. "Phoenix is a city that doesn't just rise—it rises again and again. From ancient canals carved by our Native American ancestors to the neighborhoods of today, this is a place of progress. Phoenix has always been a frontier town, not just in geography, but in spirit," Robinson said. "Today we turn another page in this city's history. This is a community achievement, so I extend my gratitude for what you've done for this neighborhood, for what you've achieved for our city and for helping history live again." Mr. Stan Patton, a heritage restoration specialist with 40 years of experience preserving some of Arizona's most treasured landmarks, spoke of his unrivaled passion for the Osborn Road project. "What's been accomplished here at this L. Ron Hubbard Landmark Site isn't just building restoration, it's recapturing a place and time. We were committed to bringing back every fixture, every detail as if Mr. Hubbard himself had just stepped out of the room," Patton added, "and I believe we accomplished that. In fact, of all the projects I've done, I call this my life's crowning accomplishment!" John Jacquemart, who won the Arizona Governor's Heritage Award for his work on historical sites, spoke of Mr. Hubbard's enduring legacy. "I've spent my life listening to stories as a historian and an Arizona native. The stories we tell in these parts are the ones about lone riders, long shadows and lawless roads. Yet, the story of L. Ron Hubbard? It's the most compelling of all. While this town was booming, Mr. Hubbard brought a different kind of growth. Not in land or lumber, but in ideas. His lectures filled our most iconic halls with a hunger for knowledge and a vision for the mind and spirit," he said. "It's a story Phoenix owns and, starting today, one it will never let go!" Dr. Albert Celoza is the Executive Director of the Arizona Interfaith Movement and received the Arizona Professor of the Year Award. "Milestones for one religion are milestones for us all. And you could say we stand here in Phoenix on hallowed Scientology soil. After all, it's where L. Ron Hubbard gave voice to a truth shared by all faiths: that man is, at his core, a spiritual being. Here, too, he wrote the Creed of the Church of Scientology," Dr. Celoza said. "So I say this with conviction: as an interfaith leader—one who has stood beside rabbis, imams, monks, priests and pastors—I honor L. Ron Hubbard for his contribution to people of all faiths!" This newest L. Ron Hubbard Landmark Site is the second in Phoenix. Just two miles away is another site at the base of Camelback Mountain. Previously opened in 2005, today it is officially recognized on the National Register of Historic Places. All told, there are now eight such Landmark Sites open on three continents, including: Bay Head, New Jersey, where LRH wrote Dianetics, the bestselling book ever on the human mind; Elizabeth, New Jersey, where he formed the first Dianetics Foundation; the Founding Church that Mr. Hubbard established in Washington, DC; the original Hubbard Communications Office on Fitzroy Street in London, England; his Linksfield Ridge estate overlooking Johannesburg, South Africa; and his headquarters at Saint Hill in East Grinstead, England. Each Landmark Site offers a literal and visual history of the work and advances Mr. Hubbard achieved during the time he was at that particular location. Each also features a room devoted to the wider story of Mr. Hubbard's life of global exploration and research—including his pivotal accomplishments here in Phoenix, Arizona. In full, the sites mark Mr. Hubbard's progressive steps to the founding of Dianetics and Scientology. The next Landmark Site is slated to open this summer in Southern Africa—continuing the legacy of Mr. Hubbard's work. Like Osborn Road, each represents a global tribute—preserved in space, alive in time and destined to inspire many more. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Church of Scientology International Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Malaysian Reserve
4 days ago
- Science
- Malaysian Reserve
From Local to Landmark: Scientologists Dedicate the Historical Site of the First Dianetics Foundation
ELIZABETH, N.J., June 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The location where Dianetics author and Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard established the first Foundation 75 years ago reopens to the world, restored and dedicated as a historical Landmark Site. Nestled in a quiet part of Elizabeth, New Jersey, is an unassuming, three-story building—a structure that once unquestionably became the nexus of a global awakening. Just 15 miles from New York City, this rejuvenated Colonial-Revival setting at 42 Aberdeen Road now joins the distinguished ranks of L. Ron Hubbard (LRH) Landmark Sites around the world. During a spring afternoon celebration attended by Scientologists, community leaders and restoration specialists, guests weren't just honoring a historic moment. In fact, they were able to take the very first steps inside the exact rooms where Mr. Hubbard had personally taught the first Dianetics auditors, delivered the first Dianetics lectures and set in motion the first Dianetics Research Foundation. 'To be here, at this historic site on L. Ron Hubbard's path of discovery, is an honor and in a class of its own,' one guest said. Now completely restored to its 1950 appearance, 42 Aberdeen Road is more than a building, it is the precise cornerstone where the world first turned a page and a revolution of the human mind all began. With the May 9, 1950 publication of Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health, what unfolded within these walls was nothing short of explosive—as the book began its unprecedented run of 28 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Almost overnight, crowds from across America began arriving without invitation, eager to meet and learn in person from the author of what was rapidly becoming the most popular book ever written on the human mind. This site of universal influence now stands as it once did—complete with original furniture, vintage crystal doorknobs and refinished wood floors with mahogany Celtic pattern inlays. All have been restored to their glorious past, including the desk where Mr. Hubbard once wrote and the fireplace before which students gathered. The Remington typewriter and SoundScriber dictation recorders Mr. Hubbard worked with are also on display—even his prized Ford Deluxe 'Woody' Wagon is parked outside. Officiating the ceremony was the Church of Scientology Preservationist who oversaw the meticulous restoration. 'This site became the epicenter of a movement—one that grew from Dianetics, the first workable science of the mind, into the Scientology religion, with Churches and Missions spanning the globe,' he said. 'And for the first time, beginning today, you will be able to walk inside and stand right where it all began!' Fittingly, and just days before the 75th Anniversary of the publication of Dianetics, dignitaries honoring the site's Grand Opening spoke of the impact of L. Ron Hubbard, both locally and globally. The day's first guest speaker, Ms. Jennifer Costa, President and CEO of the Greater Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the opening as a milestone for the city. 'Here in Elizabeth, we pride ourselves on a theme that we think says everything: 'It all starts here.' And that is so very true. Elizabeth is a city of many firsts—from the first capital of the state of New Jersey to the home of our first governor and even the first submarine. Well, today we stand here in front of this breathtaking site, another first that claims Elizabeth with pride as the very place where the first Dianetics Foundation was born. We can't wait to welcome all of you to this landmark that belongs to all of us—because this is where your history and our history meet—right here at 42 Aberdeen Road.' Mr. Thomas B. Connolly, who served as historical architect on the project, emphasized the importance of preserving the site's original character. 'Working with your team to restore this landmark was a dream. Your commitment to quality and authenticity was evident from day one and your goal was clear: to return the site to exactly how it was when Mr. Hubbard was here. As just a single example, when we peeled back the white aluminum siding that had been on the façade for decades, we uncovered a century-old surprise: the original cedar shingles, right where they had been since 1910.' Mr. Connolly added, 'And that's only one of the countless details that brought this heritage site back to life, transforming it into what you see today: the gem of the block!' Dr. Apostle Lemmew Samuel, Founder of an Evangelical Assembly in New York City, has spent a lifetime in religious service—and spoke to the spiritual power of the Landmark Site. 'Just like those first readers who drove here back in 1950 to learn from Mr. L. Ron Hubbard himself, I now find myself on the same doorstep, drawn by the same truth from the pages of Dianetics,' Dr. Samuel said. 'I'm just getting started with Dianetics. But I know I have in my hands a way to help the people I serve—couples in crisis, youth searching for direction, anyone trying to hold their life together. I can help them find their way out of the darkness of the mind and into the light!' Dr. Monica Sanchez, a United Nations Cultural Ambassador and Humanitarian, spoke not just of the legacy of this storied location, but of the enduring imprint L. Ron Hubbard left on Mankind. 'Sometimes we think we know the way, until life gives you a detour—one without signs. But Mr. Hubbard's work says: Here's another road. Here's the best road. That's why I call L. Ron Hubbard a GPS for humanity,' she said to the crowd. 'If I had been here on Aberdeen Road back in 1950, I would have told him: 'Take me as your student!' I would have felt very privileged just to learn by his side. But, thanks to everything he left behind and your incredible work to preserve it, we can all be his students.' Captain Steve Nagiewicz, Executive Director Emeritus of the world-famous Explorers Club—where Mr. Hubbard was an exalted member and carried three official expedition flags—praised LRH's work as nothing short of bold discovery. 'Mr. Hubbard explored the oceans, he crossed continents, he set a course for distant stars. But his final frontier was the most uncharted territory of all: conducting a journey inside the human mind,' he said. 'Exploring the unknown, living on the edge, going where no one has gone before … it requires a rock-solid state of mind, leaving no margin for error.' Mr. Nagiewicz added, 'It's my hope that this day and this site will always remind us to push farther, reach deeper, keep exploring. And as future explorers venture to the stars, no doubt L. Ron Hubbard will be with them in spirit!' Historic 42 Aberdeen Road has a sister in Bay Head, New Jersey, 50 miles away, where LRH wrote Dianetics. Mr. Hubbard worked in both locations during the same time period, in Bay Head for part of the year and Elizabeth for the other. The Bay Head property was previously opened as an L. Ron Hubbard Landmark Site in 2011—Mr. Hubbard's centennial year. All told, there are seven such Landmark Sites now open on three continents around the world, including L. Ron Hubbard's heritage site at the base of Camelback Mountain in Phoenix, Arizona—known as the Birthplace of Scientology; the original Founding Church that Mr. Hubbard established in Washington, DC; the original Hubbard Communications Office on Fitzroy Street in London, England; his Linksfield Ridge estate overlooking Johannesburg, South Africa; and his headquarters at Saint Hill in East Grinstead, England. Each Landmark Site offers a literal and visual history of the work and advances Mr. Hubbard achieved during the time he was at that particular location. Each also features a room devoted to the wider story of Mr. Hubbard's life of global exploration and research—including his revolutionary work here in Elizabeth, New Jersey. In full, the sites mark Mr. Hubbard's progressive steps to the founding of Dianetics and Scientology. Two more Landmark Sites are set to open by this summer—one in the US and another in Southern Africa—carrying forward the legacy of places like 42 Aberdeen Road, a global tribute that echoes for generations to come.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
From Local to Landmark: Scientologists Dedicate the Historical Site of the First Dianetics Foundation
ELIZABETH, N.J., June 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The location where Dianetics author and Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard established the first Foundation 75 years ago reopens to the world, restored and dedicated as a historical Landmark Site. Nestled in a quiet part of Elizabeth, New Jersey, is an unassuming, three-story building—a structure that once unquestionably became the nexus of a global awakening. Just 15 miles from New York City, this rejuvenated Colonial-Revival setting at 42 Aberdeen Road now joins the distinguished ranks of L. Ron Hubbard (LRH) Landmark Sites around the world. During a spring afternoon celebration attended by Scientologists, community leaders and restoration specialists, guests weren't just honoring a historic moment. In fact, they were able to take the very first steps inside the exact rooms where Mr. Hubbard had personally taught the first Dianetics auditors, delivered the first Dianetics lectures and set in motion the first Dianetics Research Foundation. "To be here, at this historic site on L. Ron Hubbard's path of discovery, is an honor and in a class of its own," one guest said. Now completely restored to its 1950 appearance, 42 Aberdeen Road is more than a building, it is the precise cornerstone where the world first turned a page and a revolution of the human mind all began. With the May 9, 1950 publication of Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health, what unfolded within these walls was nothing short of explosive—as the book began its unprecedented run of 28 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Almost overnight, crowds from across America began arriving without invitation, eager to meet and learn in person from the author of what was rapidly becoming the most popular book ever written on the human mind. This site of universal influence now stands as it once did—complete with original furniture, vintage crystal doorknobs and refinished wood floors with mahogany Celtic pattern inlays. All have been restored to their glorious past, including the desk where Mr. Hubbard once wrote and the fireplace before which students gathered. The Remington typewriter and SoundScriber dictation recorders Mr. Hubbard worked with are also on display—even his prized Ford Deluxe "Woody" Wagon is parked outside. Officiating the ceremony was the Church of Scientology Preservationist who oversaw the meticulous restoration. "This site became the epicenter of a movement—one that grew from Dianetics, the first workable science of the mind, into the Scientology religion, with Churches and Missions spanning the globe," he said. "And for the first time, beginning today, you will be able to walk inside and stand right where it all began!" Fittingly, and just days before the 75th Anniversary of the publication of Dianetics, dignitaries honoring the site's Grand Opening spoke of the impact of L. Ron Hubbard, both locally and globally. The day's first guest speaker, Ms. Jennifer Costa, President and CEO of the Greater Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the opening as a milestone for the city. "Here in Elizabeth, we pride ourselves on a theme that we think says everything: 'It all starts here.' And that is so very true. Elizabeth is a city of many firsts—from the first capital of the state of New Jersey to the home of our first governor and even the first submarine. Well, today we stand here in front of this breathtaking site, another first that claims Elizabeth with pride as the very place where the first Dianetics Foundation was born. We can't wait to welcome all of you to this landmark that belongs to all of us—because this is where your history and our history meet—right here at 42 Aberdeen Road." Mr. Thomas B. Connolly, who served as historical architect on the project, emphasized the importance of preserving the site's original character. "Working with your team to restore this landmark was a dream. Your commitment to quality and authenticity was evident from day one and your goal was clear: to return the site to exactly how it was when Mr. Hubbard was here. As just a single example, when we peeled back the white aluminum siding that had been on the façade for decades, we uncovered a century-old surprise: the original cedar shingles, right where they had been since 1910." Mr. Connolly added, "And that's only one of the countless details that brought this heritage site back to life, transforming it into what you see today: the gem of the block!" Dr. Apostle Lemmew Samuel, Founder of an Evangelical Assembly in New York City, has spent a lifetime in religious service—and spoke to the spiritual power of the Landmark Site. "Just like those first readers who drove here back in 1950 to learn from Mr. L. Ron Hubbard himself, I now find myself on the same doorstep, drawn by the same truth from the pages of Dianetics," Dr. Samuel said. "I'm just getting started with Dianetics. But I know I have in my hands a way to help the people I serve—couples in crisis, youth searching for direction, anyone trying to hold their life together. I can help them find their way out of the darkness of the mind and into the light!" Dr. Monica Sanchez, a United Nations Cultural Ambassador and Humanitarian, spoke not just of the legacy of this storied location, but of the enduring imprint L. Ron Hubbard left on Mankind. "Sometimes we think we know the way, until life gives you a detour—one without signs. But Mr. Hubbard's work says: Here's another road. Here's the best road. That's why I call L. Ron Hubbard a GPS for humanity," she said to the crowd. "If I had been here on Aberdeen Road back in 1950, I would have told him: 'Take me as your student!' I would have felt very privileged just to learn by his side. But, thanks to everything he left behind and your incredible work to preserve it, we can all be his students." Captain Steve Nagiewicz, Executive Director Emeritus of the world-famous Explorers Club—where Mr. Hubbard was an exalted member and carried three official expedition flags—praised LRH's work as nothing short of bold discovery. "Mr. Hubbard explored the oceans, he crossed continents, he set a course for distant stars. But his final frontier was the most uncharted territory of all: conducting a journey inside the human mind," he said. "Exploring the unknown, living on the edge, going where no one has gone before ... it requires a rock-solid state of mind, leaving no margin for error." Mr. Nagiewicz added, "It's my hope that this day and this site will always remind us to push farther, reach deeper, keep exploring. And as future explorers venture to the stars, no doubt L. Ron Hubbard will be with them in spirit!" Historic 42 Aberdeen Road has a sister in Bay Head, New Jersey, 50 miles away, where LRH wrote Dianetics. Mr. Hubbard worked in both locations during the same time period, in Bay Head for part of the year and Elizabeth for the other. The Bay Head property was previously opened as an L. Ron Hubbard Landmark Site in 2011—Mr. Hubbard's centennial year. All told, there are seven such Landmark Sites now open on three continents around the world, including L. Ron Hubbard's heritage site at the base of Camelback Mountain in Phoenix, Arizona—known as the Birthplace of Scientology; the original Founding Church that Mr. Hubbard established in Washington, DC; the original Hubbard Communications Office on Fitzroy Street in London, England; his Linksfield Ridge estate overlooking Johannesburg, South Africa; and his headquarters at Saint Hill in East Grinstead, England. Each Landmark Site offers a literal and visual history of the work and advances Mr. Hubbard achieved during the time he was at that particular location. Each also features a room devoted to the wider story of Mr. Hubbard's life of global exploration and research—including his revolutionary work here in Elizabeth, New Jersey. In full, the sites mark Mr. Hubbard's progressive steps to the founding of Dianetics and Scientology. Two more Landmark Sites are set to open by this summer—one in the US and another in Southern Africa—carrying forward the legacy of places like 42 Aberdeen Road, a global tribute that echoes for generations to come. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Church of Scientology International Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
From Local to Landmark: Scientologists Dedicate the Historical Site of the First Dianetics Foundation
ELIZABETH, N.J., June 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The location where Dianetics author and Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard established the first Foundation 75 years ago reopens to the world, restored and dedicated as a historical Landmark Site. Nestled in a quiet part of Elizabeth, New Jersey, is an unassuming, three-story building—a structure that once unquestionably became the nexus of a global awakening. Just 15 miles from New York City, this rejuvenated Colonial-Revival setting at 42 Aberdeen Road now joins the distinguished ranks of L. Ron Hubbard (LRH) Landmark Sites around the world. During a spring afternoon celebration attended by Scientologists, community leaders and restoration specialists, guests weren't just honoring a historic moment. In fact, they were able to take the very first steps inside the exact rooms where Mr. Hubbard had personally taught the first Dianetics auditors, delivered the first Dianetics lectures and set in motion the first Dianetics Research Foundation. "To be here, at this historic site on L. Ron Hubbard's path of discovery, is an honor and in a class of its own," one guest said. Now completely restored to its 1950 appearance, 42 Aberdeen Road is more than a building, it is the precise cornerstone where the world first turned a page and a revolution of the human mind all began. With the May 9, 1950 publication of Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health, what unfolded within these walls was nothing short of explosive—as the book began its unprecedented run of 28 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Almost overnight, crowds from across America began arriving without invitation, eager to meet and learn in person from the author of what was rapidly becoming the most popular book ever written on the human mind. This site of universal influence now stands as it once did—complete with original furniture, vintage crystal doorknobs and refinished wood floors with mahogany Celtic pattern inlays. All have been restored to their glorious past, including the desk where Mr. Hubbard once wrote and the fireplace before which students gathered. The Remington typewriter and SoundScriber dictation recorders Mr. Hubbard worked with are also on display—even his prized Ford Deluxe "Woody" Wagon is parked outside. Officiating the ceremony was the Church of Scientology Preservationist who oversaw the meticulous restoration. "This site became the epicenter of a movement—one that grew from Dianetics, the first workable science of the mind, into the Scientology religion, with Churches and Missions spanning the globe," he said. "And for the first time, beginning today, you will be able to walk inside and stand right where it all began!" Fittingly, and just days before the 75th Anniversary of the publication of Dianetics, dignitaries honoring the site's Grand Opening spoke of the impact of L. Ron Hubbard, both locally and globally. The day's first guest speaker, Ms. Jennifer Costa, President and CEO of the Greater Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the opening as a milestone for the city. "Here in Elizabeth, we pride ourselves on a theme that we think says everything: 'It all starts here.' And that is so very true. Elizabeth is a city of many firsts—from the first capital of the state of New Jersey to the home of our first governor and even the first submarine. Well, today we stand here in front of this breathtaking site, another first that claims Elizabeth with pride as the very place where the first Dianetics Foundation was born. We can't wait to welcome all of you to this landmark that belongs to all of us—because this is where your history and our history meet—right here at 42 Aberdeen Road." Mr. Thomas B. Connolly, who served as historical architect on the project, emphasized the importance of preserving the site's original character. "Working with your team to restore this landmark was a dream. Your commitment to quality and authenticity was evident from day one and your goal was clear: to return the site to exactly how it was when Mr. Hubbard was here. As just a single example, when we peeled back the white aluminum siding that had been on the façade for decades, we uncovered a century-old surprise: the original cedar shingles, right where they had been since 1910." Mr. Connolly added, "And that's only one of the countless details that brought this heritage site back to life, transforming it into what you see today: the gem of the block!" Dr. Apostle Lemmew Samuel, Founder of an Evangelical Assembly in New York City, has spent a lifetime in religious service—and spoke to the spiritual power of the Landmark Site. "Just like those first readers who drove here back in 1950 to learn from Mr. L. Ron Hubbard himself, I now find myself on the same doorstep, drawn by the same truth from the pages of Dianetics," Dr. Samuel said. "I'm just getting started with Dianetics. But I know I have in my hands a way to help the people I serve—couples in crisis, youth searching for direction, anyone trying to hold their life together. I can help them find their way out of the darkness of the mind and into the light!" Dr. Monica Sanchez, a United Nations Cultural Ambassador and Humanitarian, spoke not just of the legacy of this storied location, but of the enduring imprint L. Ron Hubbard left on Mankind. "Sometimes we think we know the way, until life gives you a detour—one without signs. But Mr. Hubbard's work says: Here's another road. Here's the best road. That's why I call L. Ron Hubbard a GPS for humanity," she said to the crowd. "If I had been here on Aberdeen Road back in 1950, I would have told him: 'Take me as your student!' I would have felt very privileged just to learn by his side. But, thanks to everything he left behind and your incredible work to preserve it, we can all be his students." Captain Steve Nagiewicz, Executive Director Emeritus of the world-famous Explorers Club—where Mr. Hubbard was an exalted member and carried three official expedition flags—praised LRH's work as nothing short of bold discovery. "Mr. Hubbard explored the oceans, he crossed continents, he set a course for distant stars. But his final frontier was the most uncharted territory of all: conducting a journey inside the human mind," he said. "Exploring the unknown, living on the edge, going where no one has gone before ... it requires a rock-solid state of mind, leaving no margin for error." Mr. Nagiewicz added, "It's my hope that this day and this site will always remind us to push farther, reach deeper, keep exploring. And as future explorers venture to the stars, no doubt L. Ron Hubbard will be with them in spirit!" Historic 42 Aberdeen Road has a sister in Bay Head, New Jersey, 50 miles away, where LRH wrote Dianetics. Mr. Hubbard worked in both locations during the same time period, in Bay Head for part of the year and Elizabeth for the other. The Bay Head property was previously opened as an L. Ron Hubbard Landmark Site in 2011—Mr. Hubbard's centennial year. All told, there are seven such Landmark Sites now open on three continents around the world, including L. Ron Hubbard's heritage site at the base of Camelback Mountain in Phoenix, Arizona—known as the Birthplace of Scientology; the original Founding Church that Mr. Hubbard established in Washington, DC; the original Hubbard Communications Office on Fitzroy Street in London, England; his Linksfield Ridge estate overlooking Johannesburg, South Africa; and his headquarters at Saint Hill in East Grinstead, England. Each Landmark Site offers a literal and visual history of the work and advances Mr. Hubbard achieved during the time he was at that particular location. Each also features a room devoted to the wider story of Mr. Hubbard's life of global exploration and research—including his revolutionary work here in Elizabeth, New Jersey. In full, the sites mark Mr. Hubbard's progressive steps to the founding of Dianetics and Scientology. Two more Landmark Sites are set to open by this summer—one in the US and another in Southern Africa—carrying forward the legacy of places like 42 Aberdeen Road, a global tribute that echoes for generations to come. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Church of Scientology International Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
