Ellis Island

Ellis Island is a small island in New York Harbor that served as a federal immigration station for millions of arrivals to the United States. The three-story main building in Beaux-Arts style contains restored registry rooms, medical examination areas, and waiting halls where newcomers underwent inspections before reaching the American mainland.

The federal government opened the immigration station in 1892 to replace the Castle Garden facility in Manhattan. After closing in 1954, the grounds remained abandoned for decades until renovation in the 1980s reopened the main buildings as a museum, while the southern section continues to deteriorate.

The National Immigration Museum houses electronic databases with over 150 million names, allowing visitors to search for ancestors who arrived here and started their American families. Many people come to discover personal connections and engage with the stories of their own immigration heritage.

Ferries operate from morning to afternoon depending on the season, with tickets required for both park sites and security screening. Audio tours are available in multiple languages, and the main gallery provides wheelchair access, though some exterior areas have limited accessibility.

The Great Hall still contains the original Guastavino tile work that created exceptional acoustics throughout the operational years, helping to dampen the noise of thousands of waiting immigrants speaking different languages simultaneously. This architectural feature allowed officials to give clear instructions despite the crowds without having to raise their voices excessively.