Saving Science History: Locals band together to rescue Yerkes Observatory

WILLIAMS BAY, Wis. (CBS 58) – The founding father of the theory of relativity and perhaps the 20th century’s most prominent scientist Albert Einstein once said, “Watch the stars and learn from them.”

For more than 120 years astronomers and astrophysicists from around the world did just that on the shores of Geneva Lake in Williams Bay, Wisconsin at the Yerkes Observatory. That is, before it closed.

But now a group of community leaders is working to open its doors once again, restoring the observatory to its former glory and inspiring future generations to reach for the stars.

On CBS 58 Sunday Morning, Pauleen Le visited the observatory to learn about the effort underway to preserve the historic building and the scientific treasures inside its walls.