Ellis Island Domes Restoration

It was with great pride that Timber Restoration, Inc.worked on the restoration of this renowned national landmark. A full scale dome was built in our shop in Saddle River, NJ in order to verify the specifications before performing such work 135 feet in the air. Thanks to the prototype, the actual installation progressed from start to finish without changes or delays. All wood material including the laminated wood ribs and purlins were treated with CCA.40. The plywood, also treated, was applied in a compound curve fashion by a team of Timber Restoration repair technicians. All purlin hangers, plates and hardware were stainless steel as were the 40,000 screws used to secure the plywood.

View of different elevations of plywood application depicting radii spanning North to South and East to West simultaneously

Government inspector ensuring that prototype meets specifications and expectations of the National Park Service

Assembly of Ellis Island dome prototype

Installation of radial wood purlins between main arches

Aerial view of wood arch attachment

Tolerances constantly monitored in order to maintain architectural guideline of 1/64" tolerance allowed.

Government agent inspecting work.

Finished domes with plywood skin awaiting application of copper cladding

Architect, Peter F. Dessauer, admiring finished dome with copper cladding.