Two grants facilitated by Historic Hawaii Foundation help fund the restoration
In 2014, the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum (PHAM) received an HHF Historic Preservation Grant of $100,000 to restore the Aerological Tower at the Ford Island Control site. Funding was used to restore historic windows and doors; to refurbish exterior and perimeter walls, flooring, and ceiling; and restore electrical conduits for interior lighting. This project, finished in 2017, completed the restoration of the Tower and enabled a preliminary exhibit to be set up inside.
A second grant was used to repair and restore all windows that could be salvaged on the second floor of the Operations Building at Ford Island Control Tower. Broken glass was replaced with plexiglass; window settings were repainted; and corroded hinges were repaired. Restoration of these windows was a critical step to stabilize the historic structure.
This project was part of Phase I of PHAM’s preservation plan which addressed interior renovations on the first floor, installation of air conditioning and electrical lines, and the installation of restrooms. Phase I was completed in 2019.
PHAM reports that the final phase of the restoration is near completion. The installation of an elevator to the observation deck enables visitors to view Pearl Harbor from the historic landmark and imagine the moment of the WWII attack that changed the course of history. A virtual viewing from the deck was shown during the 75th Commemoration of the End of World War II Ceremony held on September 2nd. An opening ceremony to officially launch public access to the Tower is reported to be scheduled at a later date.
The historic Ford Island Operations Building Aerological Tower is a reminder of a pivotal moment in our history that not only sparked our patriotism, ingenuity and commitment to freedom, but also changed the world. – Elissa Lines, Executive Director, Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum
MASON served as the historic architect overseeing this restoration.
Photos here highlight the before and after results. All images courtesy of the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum except those marked.
Aerological Tower project:
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- AFTER: Refurbished exterior windows and doors of the Aerological Tower
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- New flooring tiles preserved the historic character of the interior
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- The finished product
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- Interior walls and ceiling were also restored.
Operations Building 2nd Floor Window Restoration:
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- BEFORE: rusted and corroded windows
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- AFTER: windows can now be closed and secured.
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- BEFORE: window settings
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- Windows on the 2nd floor were restored with an HHF grant.
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- BEFORE: Exterior view of deterioration
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- AFTER view of windows from the exterior
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- BEFORE and AFTER; image courtesy of MASON
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