Current and Future Projects
Laundry/Hospital Outbuilding
Save Ellis Island began restoration of the interior of the Laundry and Hospital Outbuilding in August 2008. At one time, fifteen laundry workers processed between 2,000 and 3,000 pieces of laundry each day, using the industrial sized equipment still in place. Restoration work is expected to take approximately eighteen months.
Following restoration, the building will house an exhibit incorporating the existing equipment and telling the story of the laundry workers. Once finished, this building also completes the work necessary to allow public access to Ellis Island’s south side for the first time in over fifty years.
Restoring the Laundry and Hospital Building’s exterior was a priority for Save Ellis Island in 2001. The building’s roof had collapsed, exposing the interior to harsh weather conditions and structural decay. Exterior restoration was completed in 2002.
