Ellis Island Immigrant Building, Immigration museum in Manhattan, United States
The Ellis Island Immigrant Building is a museum in Manhattan housed in a three-story structure with exhibits focused on immigration history and arrival experiences. The building displays passenger records, photographs, and documentation of the millions who passed through these halls.
The building was established after 1892 when immigration control became centralized here, transforming how people entered the United States. It functioned as a major processing center for medical examinations and legal procedures until the 1920s.
The Registry Room displays photographs, objects, and personal stories showing the varied backgrounds of people who arrived seeking new lives. Walking through, you notice how the space tells stories of families from many different parts of the world.
Access is by ferry from Battery Park in Manhattan or Liberty State Park in New Jersey, with regular departures throughout the day. The grounds are spread out, so wear comfortable shoes and allow time to explore the full site.
Much of the complex is connected by covered corridors linking 29 hospital buildings on the south side of the island. These pathways reveal how the medical facilities were designed to function as an integrated system.
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