Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration

The Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration occupies the main building of the former immigration station and spans three floors displaying objects, photographs, and documents related to immigration history. The galleries present the experiences of people who entered the United States between 1892 and 1954.

The island opened in 1892 as the primary entry point for millions of arrivals and operated until 1954 when immigration processing moved elsewhere. The building was later restored and opened as a museum to preserve this pivotal chapter in American history.

The site serves as a place where visitors can connect with their family histories and understand the personal journeys of those who arrived seeking new lives. Walking through the halls, you encounter letters, belongings, and photographs that reveal the hopes and fears of ordinary people stepping onto American soil.

The museum is reached only by ferry departing from Battery Park in Manhattan or Liberty State Park in New Jersey. A single ticket covers access to the museum, the island, and the Statue of Liberty nearby.

Engraved on the site's walls are over 700,000 names of families who contributed to building the United States. Many visitors search for their own relatives' names in this massive collection.

Location: New York County

Official opening: September 10, 1990

Elevation above the sea: 2 m

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Part of: Statue of Liberty National Monument

Address: Ellis Island Bridge, Jersey City, NJ 10280

Phone: +(832)9600009

Website: https://statueofliberty.org/ellis-island/national-immigration-museum

GPS coordinates: 40.69914,-74.03956

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:09