ThoughtGallery.org > Restoring Stories: Lights in the Sanctuary

Restoring Stories: Lights in the Sanctuary

Join our series dedicated to exploring the preservation, conservation, and restoration efforts at the historic Eldridge Street Synagogue.

Celebrate light with us in a conversation with historic lighting restoration specialist Dawn Ladd about her work on the Eldridge Street Synagogue’s gorgeous green glass fixtures. She will demonstrate what it might have felt like 134 years ago when the sanctuary was lit with gas lighting, and compare light from a gas jet to the LED bulb chosen to most simulate gas lighting in an effort to create the original atmosphere. The talk will also include the fabrication story of missing ‘basket and crown’ sconces that were part of the scope in the restoration process over a decade ago.

Dawn Ladd founded Aurora Lampworks in 1983. A love and appreciation for well made objects has followed her from a small business making custom lampshades to restoring some of the the country’s most treasured landmark buildings. At heart, Dawn is a conservationist and environmentalist. She incorporates her closely-held principles into her work restor­ing historic lighting fixtures. The appreciation and care for our cultural antiques is more than a job – it’s a philosophy.

Dawn is a member of IALD, IES, New York Landmarks Conservancy. Aurora Lampworks holds a current WBE certificate from the state of New York.

Aurora Lampworks has been in business serving the architectural, design, and restoration communities for more than 40 years. Beginning as a showroom where antique lighting fixtures were restored and offered for sale, the company now restores and replicates fixtures from iconic and landmarked buildings.

Over the years, the company has grown and earned an outstanding reputation in the lighting industry. Aurora has a team of designers, artisans, blacksmiths, conser­vators, glassmakers, and finishers to deal with the huge diversity of materials used in the fabrication of lighting fixtures. Regardless of style, period or material, Aurora is prepared with appropriate techniques and exemplary craftspeople to complete the scope of work.

This event will take place over Zoom. You will receive the Zoom link a day before the program.











When: Thu., Dec. 9, 2021 at 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Join our series dedicated to exploring the preservation, conservation, and restoration efforts at the historic Eldridge Street Synagogue.

Celebrate light with us in a conversation with historic lighting restoration specialist Dawn Ladd about her work on the Eldridge Street Synagogue’s gorgeous green glass fixtures. She will demonstrate what it might have felt like 134 years ago when the sanctuary was lit with gas lighting, and compare light from a gas jet to the LED bulb chosen to most simulate gas lighting in an effort to create the original atmosphere. The talk will also include the fabrication story of missing ‘basket and crown’ sconces that were part of the scope in the restoration process over a decade ago.

Dawn Ladd founded Aurora Lampworks in 1983. A love and appreciation for well made objects has followed her from a small business making custom lampshades to restoring some of the the country’s most treasured landmark buildings. At heart, Dawn is a conservationist and environmentalist. She incorporates her closely-held principles into her work restor­ing historic lighting fixtures. The appreciation and care for our cultural antiques is more than a job – it’s a philosophy.

Dawn is a member of IALD, IES, New York Landmarks Conservancy. Aurora Lampworks holds a current WBE certificate from the state of New York.

Aurora Lampworks has been in business serving the architectural, design, and restoration communities for more than 40 years. Beginning as a showroom where antique lighting fixtures were restored and offered for sale, the company now restores and replicates fixtures from iconic and landmarked buildings.

Over the years, the company has grown and earned an outstanding reputation in the lighting industry. Aurora has a team of designers, artisans, blacksmiths, conser­vators, glassmakers, and finishers to deal with the huge diversity of materials used in the fabrication of lighting fixtures. Regardless of style, period or material, Aurora is prepared with appropriate techniques and exemplary craftspeople to complete the scope of work.

This event will take place over Zoom. You will receive the Zoom link a day before the program.

Buy tickets/get more info now