Save Ellis Island facts for kids
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| Founded | 1999 |
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| Legal status | 501(c)(3) |
| Purpose | To rehabilitate and beneficially reuse 29 historic hospital buildings on Ellis Island's South side in order to save this national treasure and to preserve and interpret the history of immigration to America through Ellis Island and the stories of the 1.2 million people who were hospitalized in the first and largest United States public health hospital in the early 20th century. |
| Headquarters | 31 US Highway 206, Suite 3E, Augusta, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Catherine Burke | |
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President, Chief Executive Officer
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Janis Calella |
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Revenue (2017)
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$1,145,038 |
| Expenses (2017) | $696,975 |
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Employees (2016)
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10 |
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Volunteers (2016)
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35 |
Save Ellis Island is a group that started in 1999. They are a non-profit organization that works to fix up old buildings. Their main goal is to restore 29 historic hospital buildings. These buildings are located on the south side of Ellis Island in New York Harbor. They are part of the Ellis Island Immigrant Hospital complex. Save Ellis Island works closely with the National Park Service to achieve this important goal.
Contents
Ellis Island's History
Ellis Island is a very important part of American history. It is now part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument. From 1892 to 1954, it was a main entry point for immigrants coming to America. Over 12 million people passed through Ellis Island during these years. In 1907, about 1.25 million immigrants arrived, which was the busiest year.
People came from all over the world to Ellis Island. They were often escaping difficult situations in their home countries. Many sought freedom from religious or political problems. Others simply dreamed of a better life in America. It is believed that about one-third of Americans today have an ancestor who came through Ellis Island.
The Ellis Island Hospital
The Ellis Island Hospital was a large medical facility. It had 750 beds for patients. Over 1.2 million immigrants received medical care there. About 250,000 immigrants were treated for illnesses. These included diseases like tuberculosis, measles, and diphtheria. The hospital also saw over 350 babies born within its walls.
In 2001, Save Ellis Island made an agreement with the National Park Service. This agreement allowed them to raise money. They also began to oversee the historic preservation work on Ellis Island.
Opening the Old Hospital Buildings
The South Side Hospital Complex on Ellis Island was closed for 60 years. But on October 1, 2014, it opened to visitors for the first time. This opening helped share an important part of immigration history. About one out of every ten immigrants who arrived at Ellis Island needed medical help at this hospital.
This hospital complex had 29 buildings. It was once the largest U.S. Public Health Service hospital in the United States. Sick immigrants were treated there. Once they were healthy, they were allowed to enter the country. The hospital was very modern for its time. It had special areas for babies, mental health care, and contagious diseases. It even had its own laundry and a morgue.
Save Ellis Island worked with the National Park Service (NPS). They raised money to make the hospital buildings stable. They also started to restore some parts of the complex.
First Restoration Project
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The south side of Ellis Island is mostly taken up by the Ellis Island Immigrant Hospital. Restoration work on this hospital began in 2000. The outside of the buildings was repaired first. Then, interior restoration started in 2006. This work cost about $6.4 million.
On April 2, 2007, Save Ellis Island and the National Park Service finished their first project. They restored the Ellis Island Ferry Building. This building is located in the center of the island.
