Editing Ellis Island (section)

====Restoration and reopening of north side====
[[File:Things Are Prettier Up Here.jpg|left|thumb|Detail of ceiling of registry room]]
In the 1970s, the NPS started restoring the island by repairing seawalls, eliminating weeds, and building a new ferry dock.<ref name="Stakely p. 109">{{harvnb|ps=.|Stakely|2003|p=109}}</ref> Simultaneously, Peter Sammartino launched the Restore Ellis Island Committee to raise awareness and money for repairs.<ref name="NPS-ellis-island-chronology" /><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1975/11/06/archives/200-people-gather-on-ellis-island-to-open-a-drive-for-funds-to.html |title=200 People Gather on Ellis Island to Open a Drive for Funds to Restore and Refurbish |date=November 6, 1975 |work=The New York Times |access-date=June 8, 2019 |archive-date=June 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608164055/https://www.nytimes.com/1975/11/06/archives/200-people-gather-on-ellis-island-to-open-a-drive-for-funds-to.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|ps=.|Unrau|1984c|pp=1188–1189}}</ref> The north side of the island, comprising the main building and surrounding structures, was rehabilitated and partially reopened for public tours in May 1976.<ref name="NPS-ellis-island-chronology" /><ref name="Stakely p. 109" /><ref>{{Cite news |title=Ellis Island Reopened, Evoking Memories |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1976/05/29/archives/ellis-island-reopened-evoking-memories-ellis-island-is-reopened.html |last=Schumach |first=Murray |date=May 29, 1976 |work=The New York Times |access-date=June 8, 2019 |archive-date=June 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608164057/https://www.nytimes.com/1976/05/29/archives/ellis-island-reopened-evoking-memories-ellis-island-is-reopened.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="n32477397">{{cite news |title=Ellis Island set for visitors |last=Pollak |first=Michael C. |date=May 28, 1976 |work=The Record |location=Hackensack, NJ |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/32477397/ |access-date=October 7, 2022 |pages=7, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/32477662/ 12] |via=newspapers.com {{open access}} |archive-date=March 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329133912/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-record-ellis-island-set-for-visitors/32477397/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The plant was left unrepaired to show the visitors the extent of the deterioration.<ref name="n32477397" /> The NPS limited visits to 130 visitors per boat, or less than 75,000 visitors a year.<ref name="Stakely p. 109" /> Initially, only parts of three buildings were open to visitors. Further repairs were stymied by a lack of funding, and by 1982, the NPS was turning to private sources for funds.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/32478989/ |title=Ellis Island attracting prospective developers |last=Morehouse |first=Ward III |date=February 6, 1968 |work=Central New Jersey Home News |access-date=June 5, 2019 |page=5 |via=newspapers.com {{open access}} |archive-date=March 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329133919/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-central-new-jersey-home-news-ellis-i/32478989/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In May 1982, President [[Ronald Reagan]] announced the formation of the Statue of Liberty–Ellis Island Centennial Commission, led by [[Chrysler Corporation]] chair [[Lee Iacocca]] with former President [[Gerald Ford]] as honorary chairman, to raise the funds needed to complete the work.<ref name="NPS-ellis-island-chronology" /><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/32502432/ |title=Repairs due for Miss Liberty |agency=Associated Press |date=June 20, 1982 |work=Asbury Park Press |access-date=June 5, 2019 |page=3 |via=newspapers.com {{open access}} |archive-date=October 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010070242/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/32502432/repairs-due-for-miss-liberty/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/05/19/nyregion/notes-on-people-iacocca-to-head-drive-to-restore-landmarks.html |title=Notes on People; Iacocca to Head Drive to Restore Landmarks |last1=Krebs |first1=Albin |date=May 19, 1982 |work=The New York Times |access-date=June 8, 2019 |last2=Thomas |first2=Robert McG. Jr. |archive-date=June 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608200935/https://www.nytimes.com/1982/05/19/nyregion/notes-on-people-iacocca-to-head-drive-to-restore-landmarks.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The plan for Ellis Island was to cost $128&nbsp;million,<ref name="nyt19860223">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/02/23/nyregion/restoring-ellis-island-bitter-dispute-over-the-future-of-a-national-shrine.html |title=Restoring Ellis Island: Bitter Dispute Over the Future of a National Shrine |last=Gottlieb |first=Martin |date=February 23, 1986 |work=The New York Times |access-date=June 8, 2019 |archive-date=June 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608204650/https://www.nytimes.com/1986/02/23/nyregion/restoring-ellis-island-bitter-dispute-over-the-future-of-a-national-shrine.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and by the time work commenced in 1984, about $40&nbsp;million had been raised.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/05/24/nyregion/renovation-for-ellis-i-is-outlined.html |title=Renovation for Ellis I. Is Outlined |last=Rangel |first=Jesus |date=May 24, 1984 |work=The New York Times |access-date=June 8, 2019 |archive-date=June 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608204650/https://www.nytimes.com/1984/05/24/nyregion/renovation-for-ellis-i-is-outlined.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Through its fundraising arm, the Statue of Liberty–Ellis Island Foundation, Inc., the group eventually raised more than $350&nbsp;million in donations for the renovations of both the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.{{sfn|Moreno|2000|pp=216–218}} Initial restoration plans included renovating the main building, baggage and dormitory building, and the hospital, as well as possibly adding a bandshell, restaurant, and exhibits.<ref>{{Cite news |title=For Ellis Island, a Reborn Role as a Monument |last=Bernstein |first=Richard |date=December 9, 1982 |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/12/09/nyregion/for-ellis-island-a-reborn-role-as-a-monument.html |access-date=June 8, 2019 |archive-date=June 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608204650/https://www.nytimes.com/1982/12/09/nyregion/for-ellis-island-a-reborn-role-as-a-monument.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Two firms, [[Notter Finegold & Alexander]] and [[Beyer Blinder Belle]], designed the renovation.<ref>{{cite news |title=Once-neglected Ellis Island shines again |agency=Associated Press |date=July 29, 1990 |work=The Journal-News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/32504963/ |access-date=June 5, 2019 |location=White Plains, NY |page=94 |via=newspapers.com {{open access}} |archive-date=March 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329133743/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-journal-news-once-neglected-ellis-is/32504963/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In advance of the renovation, public tours ceased in 1984, and work started the following year.<ref name="NPS-ellis-island-chronology" /><ref name="n32809399">{{cite news |title=Ellis Island: An immigrant past, a tattered present |last=Waga |first=Phil |date=May 25, 1986 |work=The Journal News |location=White Plains, NY |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/32809399/ |access-date=October 7, 2022 |pages=95, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/32809340/ 99] |via=newspapers.com {{open access}} |archive-date=March 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329133906/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-journal-news-ellis-island-an-immigr/32809399/ |url-status=live }}</ref> As part of the restoration, the powerhouse was renovated, while the incinerator, greenhouse, and water towers were removed.<ref name="Stakely p. 111">{{harvnb|ps=.|Stakely|2003|p=111}}</ref><ref name="Robins Urbanelli p. 702" /> The kitchen/laundry and baggage/dormitory buildings were restored to their original condition while the main building was restored to its 1918–1924 appearance.<ref name="n32809399" /><ref>{{cite news |title=A monument to all who passed through |last=Stuart |first=Mark |date=June 29, 1986 |work=The Record |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/32809525/ |access-date=June 5, 2019 |location=Hackensack, NJ |page=266 |via=newspapers.com {{open access}}}}</ref>

The main building opened as a museum on September 10, 1990.<ref name="nyt19900910">{{Cite news |title=Ellis Island Doors Reopening, This Time as Haven to Tourists |last=Golden |first=Tim |date=September 10, 1990 |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/09/10/nyregion/ellis-island-doors-reopening-this-time-as-haven-to-tourists.html |access-date=June 8, 2019 |archive-date=June 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608222343/https://www.nytimes.com/1990/09/10/nyregion/ellis-island-doors-reopening-this-time-as-haven-to-tourists.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="n32514428">{{cite news |title=Ellis Island, 1892–1900 |last=Hosmer |first=Philip |date=September 9, 1990 |work=The Courier-News |location=Bridgewater, NJ |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/32514428/ |access-date=October 7, 2022 |pages=21, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/32514544/ 25] |via=newspapers.com {{open access}} |archive-date=October 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221012004215/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/32514428/ellis-island-1892-1900/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|ps=.|Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island EIS|2005|p=6}}</ref> Further improvements were made after the north side's renovation was completed. The Wall of Honor, a monument to raise money for the restoration, was completed in 1990 and reconstructed starting in 1993.<ref name="nyt20190116">{{Cite news |title=N.Y. Today: A Wall That Honors Immigrants |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/16/nyregion/newyorktoday/new-york-news-wall-ellis-island.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220101/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/16/nyregion/newyorktoday/new-york-news-wall-ellis-island.html |archive-date=January 1, 2022 |url-access=limited |last=Paybarah |first=Azi |date=January 16, 2019 |work=The New York Times |access-date=June 8, 2019}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name="Stakely p. 111" /> A research facility with online database, the American Family Immigration History Center, was opened in April 2001.<ref name="NPS-ellis-island-chronology" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Sachs |first=Susan |date=April 17, 2001 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/04/17/nyregion/ellis-island-opens-its-web-door-passenger-lists-let-families-trace-immigrant.html |title=Ellis Island Opens Its Web Door; Passenger Lists Let Families Trace Immigrant Roots |work=The New York Times |access-date=June 8, 2019 |archive-date=June 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608230640/https://www.nytimes.com/2001/04/17/nyregion/ellis-island-opens-its-web-door-passenger-lists-let-families-trace-immigrant.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Subsequently, the ferry building was restored for $6.4&nbsp;million and reopened in 2007.<ref name="nyt20070402">{{Cite news |last=McGeehan |first=Patrick |date=April 2, 2007 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/02/nyregion/02ellis.html |title=Immigrants' Final Stop on Ellis Island to Reopen |work=The New York Times |access-date=June 8, 2019 |archive-date=June 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608230641/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/02/nyregion/02ellis.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The north side was temporarily closed after being damaged in [[Hurricane Sandy]] in October 2012,<ref>{{cite web |title=Statue of Liberty National Monument |url=http://www.nps.gov/stli/after-hurricane-sandy.htm |publisher=National Park Service |access-date=April 25, 2013 |archive-date=August 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130807183213/http://www.nps.gov/stli/after-hurricane-sandy.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> though the island and part of the museum reopened exactly a year later, after major renovations.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2013/10/storm-damaged_ellis_island_reopens_a_day_shy_of_sandy_anniversary.html |title=Storm-damaged Ellis Island reopens a day shy of Sandy anniversary |last=O'Brien |first=Kathleen |date=October 28, 2013 |newspaper=The Star-Ledger |access-date=November 1, 2013 |archive-date=November 5, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105093408/http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2013/10/storm-damaged_ellis_island_reopens_a_day_shy_of_sandy_anniversary.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/hurricane-sandy/ellis-island-reopens-year-sandy-article-1.1499214 |title=Ellis Island reopens one year after Sandy |last=Chinese |first=Vera |date=October 28, 2013 |newspaper=Daily News |location=New York |access-date=November 14, 2013 |archive-date=November 10, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110040734/http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/hurricane-sandy/ellis-island-reopens-year-sandy-article-1.1499214 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nps.gov/elis/planyourvisit/index.htm |title=Ellis Island: Part of Statue of Liberty National Monument NJ, NY – Plan Your Visit |publisher=National Park Service |access-date=September 25, 2014 |archive-date=October 7, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007224750/http://www.nps.gov/elis/planyourvisit/index.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

In March 2020, the island was closed temporarily due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]];<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kim|first=Allen|date=March 16, 2020|title=Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island close due to coronavirus outbreak|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/16/us/statue-liberty-ellis-island-coronavirus-trnd/index.html|access-date=August 3, 2020|website=CNN|archive-date=March 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200317050151/https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/16/us/statue-liberty-ellis-island-coronavirus-trnd/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> it reopened in August 2020, initially with strict capacity limits.<ref name="News 12 - The Bronx 2020 x935">{{cite web | title=Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island partially reopen | website=News 12 – The Bronx | date=August 24, 2020 | url=https://bronx.news12.com/statue-of-liberty-ellis-island-partially-reopen-42536051 | access-date=July 8, 2023 | archive-date=July 8, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708210226/https://bronx.news12.com/statue-of-liberty-ellis-island-partially-reopen-42536051 | url-status=live }}</ref> A$100&nbsp;million renovation of the Ellis Island museum began in early 2024; the changes included a three-story exhibition space and a new "discovery center".<ref name="Rahhal 2024 c545">{{cite web | last=Rahhal | first=Emily | title=Ellis Island museum doubles immigration database in $100M renovation | website=PIX11 | date=March 28, 2024 | url=https://pix11.com/news/local-news/ellis-island-museum-doubles-family-history-database-in-100m-renovation/amp/ | access-date=March 29, 2024 | archive-date=March 29, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329134311/https://pix11.com/news/local-news/ellis-island-museum-doubles-family-history-database-in-100m-renovation/amp/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Rahmanan 2024 d845">{{cite web | last=Rahmanan | first=Anna | title=The Ellis Island Museum is getting a major 21st century upgrade | website=Time Out New York | date=March 28, 2024 | url=https://www.timeout.com/newyork/news/the-ellis-island-museum-is-getting-a-major-21st-century-upgrade-032824 | access-date=March 29, 2024 | archive-date=March 29, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329134313/https://www.timeout.com/newyork/news/the-ellis-island-museum-is-getting-a-major-21st-century-upgrade-032824 | url-status=live }}</ref> The NPS also announced plans to spend $17.7&nbsp;million on renovating the museum buildings.<ref name="Barron 2024 x008">{{cite web | last=Barron | first=James | title=The Ellis Island Museum Gets a Face-Lift | website=The New York Times | date=March 28, 2024 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/28/nyregion/ellis-island-museum-renovation.html | access-date=March 29, 2024 | archive-date=March 29, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329134456/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/28/nyregion/ellis-island-museum-renovation.html | url-status=live }}</ref> Save Ellis Island, a nonprofit organization based in New Jersey, concurrently advocated for the preservation of the hospital buildings on the island's southern end. By 2023, Save Ellis Island had raised $70&nbsp;million toward the buildings' renovation.<ref name="Martin 2023 m525">{{cite web | last=Martin | first=Julia | title=Group Works to Save the Oft-Forgotten Jersey Side of Ellis Island | website=New Jersey Monthly | date=September 20, 2023 | url=https://njmonthly.com/articles/news/group-works-to-save-the-oft-forgotten-jersey-side-of-ellis-island/ | access-date=April 13, 2024}}</ref>