Session: Coming to America: How the Ellis Island Immigration Story is Told More Fully Through the Collection of Abandoned Hospital Buildings

Tuesday, April 8

9:15 - 10:30 AM

Location: Ithaca Downtown Conference Center

About: 

The National Park Service and Save Ellis Island, LLC have partnered to restore and repurpose 29 unused buildings on Ellis Island, including former hospitals, for educational programs and tours. Through Hard Hat Tours and preservation efforts, these buildings highlight the immigrant patients treated there, especially after the 1920s immigration laws changed Ellis Island's operations. Preservation projects focus on stabilizing structures, including rebuilding concrete joists and protecting foundations. The partnership also supports the NPS’s "Parks as Classrooms" model, where the buildings themselves are part of the educational mission. The session will explore effective programming and compliance with preservation standards for historic sites.

Presenters:

Jennifer Arnoldi, Senior Associate, Mills + Schnoering Architects

Jennifer Arnoldi works on the rehabilitation of existing buildings, both historic and contemporary. Ms. Arnoldi is an experienced architect and preservationist, working at the National Park Service sites of Ellis Island, President’s Park, Valley Forge National Historic Park, and Clara Barton National Historic Site as well as numerous other historic places. She has also worked closely with museums from initial assessments and planning through building restoration and installation of exhibits, overseeing design and construction administration.

Daniel Student, Managing Director, Consulting, Potrero Group

Daniel Student has been a cultural and social sector leader for twenty years, bringing a unique cross-section of creative and business strategy to his work. As Managing Director of Consulting for Potrero Group, he supports leaders across sectors in shaping a better future by providing invigorating strategic planning, facilitation, organizational effectiveness, and search services to mission-driven organizations. Daniel led Potrero Group’s strategic planning engagement with Save Ellis Island, which re-envisioned the South Side hospital complex’s interpretive possibilities. He recently co-authored Don’t Lead Alone: Think Like a System, Act Like a Network, Lead Like a Movement, published by Fast Company Press

Barbara De Santis, Director of Museum Education, Save Ellis Island, LLC

Barbara has created a diverse range of programs and tours to educate the public about the hospital's pivotal role in immigration. From professional development workshops for educators to school tours for all ages, Barbara's offerings cover a wide range of interests. She has also developed specialized tours that explore the hospital's medical legacy, unique architectural features, and the JR installation 'Unframed- Ellis Island'.