Ferry Building Restoration

The Ellis Island Ferry Building is the first of 30 un-restored buildings on Ellis Island for which Save Ellis Island, working in partnership with the National Park Service, has raised the funds to completely restore and put to beneficial re-use. Restoration of the exterior of the Ellis Island Ferry Building and the Laundry/Hospital Outbuilding was completed in 2002. 

In March of 2006 the Ellis Island Ferry Building interior restoration began and is now nearing completion. The restoration consisted of repair and replacement of plaster walls and ceilings, terra cotta wainscoting, and terrazzo flooring. The bronze chandelier and wall sconces have been fabricated to replicate the originals and the oak waiting benches have been restored, returning this building to its original design. The waiting room and the lunch room will be completed before the end of 2006 and, as a result of additional corporate funding, SEI has authorized the completion of the third and final room; the US Customs Room. 

Once completed, the Ellis Island Ferry Building will house the exhibit, "Future in the Balance: Immigration, Public Health and the Ellis Island Hospitals." The New Ferry Terminal Building's completion with the exhibit installed, expected to be in April 2007, will mark its opening to the general public for the first time since 1954.

For more information, visit the Save Ellis Island! website at www.saveellisisland.org.