Ellis Island: the gateway for immigrants
Located on the Hudson River estuary, Ellis Island is a small island (0.13 km²), but whosehistory is very rich. Between 1892 and 1924, Ellis Island saw more than 12 million applicants for immigration. Indeed, Ellis Island was the compulsory checkpoint for migrants came to try their luck in the United States. More than 100 million Americans would have an ancestor who would have set foot on Ellis Island.
Ellis Island Museum: a moving place with a rich past
After being abandoned for several decades, the Ellis Island Immigration Museum has opened 1990 .
More than a century after the wave of immigration, Ellis Island now welcomes many tourists who have come to discover the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, a unique and fun place at a time. The buildings have of course been restored, but the constructions have remained identical to those of more than a century ago.
This museum invites you to discover the history of American immigration, but also the welcoming process followed by immigrants who came to find a better life in the United States, a land synonymous with hope and freedom of expression for all these people.
During the visit to the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, you will therefore make a go back and you will understand how the USA welcomed applicants for immigration and what were the different admission criteria. You will also find out what was the entrance fee and what were the criteria according to which this right was refused for certain minorities. In total, 2% of immigrants were refused.
Also read our article on the most beautiful museums in New York.
Immigration museum: what are the things to discover?
The Ellis Island Immigration Museum consists of several rooms. While browsing them, you will be able to see luggage, objects of everyday life, family and historical photos, personal objects or even clothing bequeathed by descendants of immigrants. You will also discover the admission procedures: grouping by communities or nationalities, medical checks carried out, quarantine for sick people ...
Here is the composition of the museum:
- Rez-de-chaussee : in one of the rooms, you will find curves, graphs and statistics
on immigration to the United States. Computers are also available as well as a Learning Center which will allow you to know if one of your ancestors passed by Ellis Island. - Upstairs : you will visit in particular the recording room. Here, thousands of immigrants thronged every day.
- On the second floor : you will discover the dormitories which were overcrowded at the time. You will also see photos of the restoration of the place as well as models showing the transformation of the island between 1854 and 1940.
In 2015, the museum inaugurated two new rooms, the Peopling of America Center which tells the story of immigration before 1892 and after 1954. This particularly concerns the arrival of European settlers, Amerindians or even populations from Mexico. These rooms also retrace the evolution of means of transport and testimonies of arrivals telling what the USA means to them can also be read.
Do not hesitate to take a walk in the Registry Room, a room where immigrants had to wait until their inspection and registration. And if you wish, you can attend the screening of the film Island of Hope inspired by the history of these people.
During your visit, you will also discover:
- The American Flag of Face which offers photo montages of Americans with their families and ancestors
- The American Immigrant Wall of Honor on which more than 600 names are registered. If you wish to honor one of your ancestors who passed through Ellis Island, you can register his name on this "Wall of Honor".
- The American Family Immigration History Center which lists the names of immigrants and the boats in which they made the trip.
The Ellis Island Immigration Museum is therefore a place rich in history that will allow you to discover the journey of immigrants from their arrival on New York soil to their acceptance on American territory.
Practical information: if you do not speak English well, audio guides in French are available.
On average, it takes 3 hours of visit.
A poignant guided tour
If you wish, you can visit the museum as if you were a newcomer. This one lasts 45 minutes and is available with audio tour.
Practical information about the Ellis Island Immigration Museum
Price
You will have the choice between:
- Ferry ride + visit to Ellis Island museum + discovery of the crown of the Statue of Liberty : $ 21.50 per adult, $ 9 per child aged 4 to 12 and $ 17 per person over 62.
- Ferry trip + visit to the Ellis Island museum + discovery of the base of the Statue of Liberty : $ 18.50 per adult, $ 9 per child aged 4 to 12 and $ 14 per person over 62.
For children from 0 to 4 years old, admission is free.
Otherwise, be aware that the museum visit is included in the New York Pass, the New York City Pass and the Explorer Pass.
The ferry
To get to the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, you will need to take the ferry from Battery Park. The latter runs between 9 a.m. and 17 p.m. every 30-45 minutes. On average, the ferry puts 15 minutes to reach Ellis Island.
As soon as your dates of stay are known, do not hesitate to reserve your place as soon as possible!
Tip: If you can, take the first boats of the day, as it gets very crowded and access to the Statue of Liberty and the Ellis Island Museum is limited.
Museum opening hours
The Ellis Island Immigration Museum is open everyday from 8:30 a.m. to 17:30 p.m..
Address
It is located: Statue of Liberty National Monument, New York, NY 10004.
The Ellis Island Immigration Museum is therefore a moving and fun place. Enjoy your visit and explore all the places of interest of this museum rich in history.
Want to discover another famous museum? See you at the Natural History one!
