Ellis Island Condition Survey, May 1976

URS/Madigan-Praeger, Inc.

The Statue of Liberty National Monument is a United States National Monument comprising Liberty Island and Ellis Island in the U.S. states of New Jersey and New York. It includes the Statue of Liberty (Liberty Enlightening the World) by sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and the Statue of Liberty Museum, both situated on Liberty Island, as well as the former immigration station at Ellis Island which includes the Ellis Island Immigrant Hospital. Inspection of the facilities along the proposed Ellis Island tour route disclosed many structures in an advanced state of deterioration. Due to the intrusion of water, plaster has fallen from the walls and ceilings or is hanging loosely. Wire lath has rusted through entirely and whole sections of hung ceiling lie on the floors. Structural steel, where visible, often has rusted dangerously. Ice has penetrated masonry causing cracks, opening joints wider each succeeding year. Wind and vandals have conspired to loosen and tear copper roofs and cornices converting them into flying hazards and depriving them of their weather protection function. Numerous hazards were removed by the work crew preparing the tour route. Other hazards were removed by the Inspector or at his direction. Such hazards were limited to the sphere of the proposed tour route. Other areas were not inspected formally but casual observation indicates that it is not safe to stray from the defined route. Hazards can be defined as present and future, noting that a future hazard to persons is a present hazard to the integrity of the structure. A number of hazards which could not be removed by hand were identified in both categories.

Ellis Island Condition Survey, May 1976

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