A letter from our President
Can you believe it, the year is just about over. Thanks to you, our supporters, we had a wonderful year and we hope you did too.
Through grants, programs, and individual donations, we continue to maintain the hospital buildings and grounds, make needed repairs, provide excellent public education programs and work with our architects on the continued stabilization of the contagious disease hospital.
We pursued new relationships and strengthened those we currently work with daily. Thanks to our partners at the National Park Service for their continued support; Superintendent John Piltzecker, Deputy Superintendents John Hnedak and Cherie Butler and the many park staff and Rangers working to keep this monument open daily for the public’s education and enjoyment. We thank our friends at the Stephen T. Mather Building Arts and Craftsmanship High School in NYC, who this year, repaired and replaced many of the broken windows at the Historic Contagious Disease Hospital. Thanks also to Phelps Construction Group for always being there when we need help and to Brightview Landscapes who generously provided landscape maintenance throughout the year. There are so many people we worked with this year who helped us to advance the restoration and rehabilitation of this historic site, thank you all.
Stephen T. Mather Building Arts and Craftsmanship High School in NYC
Brightview Landscapes
In October, Save Ellis Island was featured in New Jersey Monthly magazine with a feature article written by Julia Martin. We thank the publisher, Kate S. Tomlinson, for her desire to feature the hospital in New Jersey’s premiere American monthly magazine featuring issues of interest to residents of New Jersey. Read article.
The year ended with the passing of someone close to us, who worked on Ellis Island for over twenty-five years, Dave Crotty. Dave cared for and took care of all of Ellis Island as Chief of Facilities. He will be missed by everyone who knew him and worked with him.
One final note to end the year, I must thank you, our supporters, for helping to make this happen; In November, Save Ellis Island was awarded the 2023 Preservation New Jersey award for Excellence in Historic Preservation for The Restoration of The Recreation Pavilion.
The Outdoor Recreation Pavilion’s lights on for the first time in 65 years.
Looking to the future, in 2024 Save Ellis Island will prepare a Strategic Plan to ensure that our mission continues to be fulfilled in the coming years. We will continue Hard Hat Tours, Professional Development Programs, Photography Workshops, free programs for underserved schools and add additional new programs.
On behalf of the Staff, our Board and myself, thank you for your continued support. We wish you a New Year filled with blessings of peace and prosperity for the year ahead.
Janis DeLuce Calella
President and CEO
Save Ellis Island, Inc.
Save Ellis Island’s mission is to raise funds to rehabilitate the Ellis Island Hospitals for a new and exciting purpose, one that will generate income to sustain the buildings, complete the story of immigration through Ellis Island and provide an exciting and educational experience for this and future generations.