Rehabilitation
Save America's Treasures
Save America’s Treasures began in 1998 as a public-private partnership between the White House Millennium Council and The National Trust for Historic Preservation and is dedicated to the celebration and preservation of our nation's irreplaceable historic and cultural legacy.
From the outset, the Save America’s Treasures program exemplified the best aspects of public-private initiatives as the nation prepared to mark the new millennium by raising public awareness and generating new resources to preserve our historic and cultural treasures. The Star Spangled Banner, perhaps the most widely recognized historic treasure in America, was the backdrop for the launching of this unprecedented campaign. The list of treasures selected to receive federal challenge grants for the inaugural funding round included a wide-ranging array of beloved cultural icons from all corners of the country: Harriet Tubman's home, the Louis Armstrong archives, the Valley Forge Winter Encampment, San Esteban del Rey Mission, prairie churches all across North Dakota, Ybor City, Taliesin, the home of Frank Lloyd Wright, and World War II aviation nose art, to name a few. The National Trust for Historic Preservation characterizes the program's official projects from communities across the country as "[reflections of] the remarkable diversity of the people, places, and events that comprise the American tapestry."
The Ferry Building
The Ellis Island Ferry Building was among the first Save America’s Treasures grantees in 1999. Matching funds for this project were secured by Save Ellis Island from the New Jersey Casino Reinvestment Development Authority. Additional support for the interior of the Ferry Building, both cash and in-kind, has been raised over the past three years by the Save America's Treasures program and Save Ellis Island, including a generous grant from the United States Tour Operators Association's Travelers Conservation Foundation, Discovery, Inc. and Phillips-Van Heusen.
This art deco building, constructed 1934-1936 was once the departure point for immigrants who successfully passed their legal and health inspections and were ready to begin their new lives in America.
The building had suffered significant deterioration when the National Park Service and Save Ellis Island began restoration work.
The bricks were replaced or repaired and the building was re-pointed.
Working, in some cases, from the originals plans, the buildings distinguishing features such as the copper cupola were restored.
Mechanical Infrastructure was installed.
Original white oak benches were restored and new matching benches fabricated.
New bronze grills, wall sconces and the chandelier were created based upon original specifications.
The building was returned to its original splendor. The Ellis Island Ferry Building opened in April 2007 allowing access to the public for the first time in over 50 years. It houses Save Ellis Island’s first exhibit, “Future in the Balance: Immigrants, Public Health and the Ellis Island Hospitals,” as well as the Customs Room available for educational programs and other events.
The Laundry/Hospital Outbuilding
A second Save America's Treasures challenge grant was awarded to Ellis Island's Hospital Laundry & Outbuilding in 2000 and the matching funds were committed by the State of New Jersey along with additional funds to complete the restoration work on this structure. This building was a primary support center for the hospital and contains the historic laundry equipment. The exterior restoration of the Laundry/Hospital Outbuilding was completed in September, 2002.
The interior restoration of the Laundry Hospital Outbuilding is now underway thanks to a grant from the 1772 Foundation and funding from the New Jersey Historic Trust. Upon restoration of the first floor, SEI plans to install an exhibit about the “back of the house” operations of the hospital, the people who worked there and what they did daily to operate the 750 bed immigrant hospital.
The Y corridor
Save Ellis Island’s next goal was the restoration of the corridor leading from the Ferry Building to the Laundry and Hospital Outbuilding and hospital lawn. The scope was primarily masonry work and window and door restoration.
Once the work was completed on the Ferry Building and Y corridor in 2007, Save Ellis Island was able to offer limited guided tours of the south side to the public for the first time.
The Future
Planning for the restoration of the historic Ellis Island Recreation Shelter and south side lawn has begun. The Shelter, surrounded by nearly 8 acres of green space and spectacular views of the New York and New Jersey skylines, including the Statue of Liberty, is a project of SEI in partnership with the National Park Service and funded by the NJ Department of Environmental Protection through its Green Acres Program. The work on the magnificent lawn will consist of tree pruning and removal of select trees and stumps. The courtyard includes the Recreation Shelter that allowed hospital patients to enjoy social activities in the fresh air. Plans to restore the shelter include repair of the brick and terra cotta structure, installation of a new roof, upgrading of the electrical system, lighting and window and door restoration.
The Shelter is expected to be open to the public for guided tours in 2010.
NJ Historic Trust also providing funding to study the exterior restoration of Ward G and the powerhouse and for the exterior preservation study of the Recreation Building.
