Ellis Island Hospital Complex: The Ellis Island Immigration Station opened on Ellis Island in January 1892. It served as the primary immigration center for the United States from 1892 until 1954 when it was closed. The island was originally 3.3 acres and landfill was used to increase its size to a total of 27.5 acres. The New Jersey half of Ellis Island contained medical facilities to treat ill immigrants arriving to America.  Designed by James Knox Taylor, architect for the U.S. Treasury Department, original hospital buildings on Ellis Island were built in 1901. Facilities were built to house and feed immigrants while they waited for their identification papers to be processed. Those who arrived in need of care were detained for medical attention.  A state-of-the-art hospital complex treated and cured most sick immigrants in order for them to be permitted entry into the country. Subsequent buildings reflected the changing medical practices of the early 20th century.  More than 12 million immigrants passed through Ellis Island between 1892 and 1954.

The Laundry Building: The laundry building was one of the first hospital buildings erected, serving as a service building for the complex.  Its use changed during its life, including laundry, morgue, and nurse's residence.

The Trust assisted with the exterior and interior restoration of the laundry building through capital funding.   The Trust grant will assist the rehabilitation of the interior of the second floor with elevator and code-compliant stairs. The project makes the laundry building accessible to the public and creates s space for Save Ellis Island’s education programs. 

Ward G and Power Plant: Ellis Island’s south side housed its hospital complex and contagious disease wards. At the core of the hospital complex were the wards where immigrants were held and treated until well enough to continue to the New York City harbor.  The Trust is assisting the assessment and development of interpretation for a hospital ward (Ward G) and the power plant, both slated for restoration and interpretation.

The Recreation Building: The recreation building sits at the center of the Ellis Island hospital complex, built in 1936, replacing the American Red Cross Building on the island.  It is in a classical Art Deco style with a red brick and terracotta exterior and inside a large, vaulted theatre with stage area.  The building is in poor condition with years of moisture penetration.

A previous Trust grant will assisted the preparation of a conditions assessment with the goal of enabling public visitation and interpretation of the center green and pavilion of the hospital complex. 

The current grant will help fund structural engineering and preservation studies that will guide future stabilization, repair and restoration. 

The building will serve as a public lecture and education hall for programs on the island.

For more information, visit: http://www.saveellisisland.org/site/PageServer