November 16, 2006

Ellis Island adds ghostly photo exhibit of old hospital

"Shadow and Memory" a collection of Christopher Barnes photographs of Ellis Island’s un-restored buildings will soon go on display at the immigration center, highlighting the effort to rehabilitate the 30 dilapidated structures on the island's south side.

When Ellis Island closed as an Immigration Center in 1954, many of its buildings were left to rot. The main building was finally restored and opened as a museum in 1990, but most people don't realize the other half of the island remains badly in need of help.

Barnes photographs, dating to 1986, expose the decay and hint at the forgotten past of the immigrants who spent time in the hospital, situated on the side of the island closest to the Statue of Liberty.

The non-profit group Save Ellis Island has been working to stabilize and restore those buildings and plans to reopen the 1930s-era "new" ferry building in early April. Save Ellis Island is making progress on the exhibit design and will soon start fabrication, Dorothy Hartman, the group's director of education and public programs told NewYorkology on Wednesday.

The laundry/hospital outbuilding and the red-bricked Y-shaped hallyway that connects the entire hospital should open about a year later.

The south side of the island has been open to the public only a few times, including for hard-hat tours during Open House New York, as well as for a special tour sponsored by the Historic Districts Council and the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen.

The photo exhibit opens Saturday and will be on display at Ellis Island through February. Access to the exhibit, as well as the Ellis Island museum, is free but you'll still have to pay for the Circle Line Ferry to get to the island.

Earlier: Ellis Island to open historic ferry building in winter
Exploring secret Ellis Island during Open House NY
NewYorkology Basics: Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island

November 16, 2006 10:18 AM in Architecture, History, Kids, Museums, Out of Manhattan, Sightsology

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