With the Gates of Heaven threatened with demolition, Norton and Lois Stoler of Madison organized the Gates of Heaven Preservation Fund (1970).
Its goal was to raise funds to move the 200-ton building to a public park and to restore the building to its 1863 appearance.
Once the necessary funds were raised for moving the building, the project was turned over to the City of Madison and Sol Levin's Department of Housing.
The Belding Moving Company of East Chicago, IL was the low (and only) bidder. Preparing for the move, 96 airplane wheels were placed under the
structure and 2 tank retrievers from World War II lifted it from its original site.
Moving eight blocks to the park took almost an entire day. It was the first time a historic building was moved in the city.
214 W. Washington Ave. - 300 E. Gorham St.
1863 The synagogue was built by the Gates of Heaven congregation
Designed by August Kutzback - German Romanesque Revival - Constuction by James Jack
1970 National Register
1974 Madison Landmark
