Ellis Island Museum in New York
Between the 1890’s and 1920’s, more than 22 million people arrived at Ellis Island Immigration Centre, New York. It’s not surprising that a quarter of all Americans can trace their family history back to relatives who first stepped onto American soil at Ellis Island. They travelled on ships by the thousand, seeking a fresh start, prepared to work their way out of poverty and build a new life in a rapidly developing USA. Today, travelling is easy, fast and affordable – you can fly to New York in a matter of hours and cheap flights are readily available; then it was case of buying an expensive passage on a ship – and sailing for weeks at a time in cramped and often unhealthy conditions. After disembarking their ships, immigrants had to undergoing a health screening test, and were usually passed fit for entry and citizenship.
What To See?
You’ll easily spend a day on Ellis Island – the Museum audio tour takes about 45 minutes and there is an exceptionally fine Family Research Centre, for those wanting to trace their family genealogy. You might want to find a name on the Roll of Honour, carved with the names of 700,000 immigrants who came to New York, determined to make good. There are changing exhibitions, a memorabilia shop and somewhere to take refreshments. You can take a Statue of Liberty short cruise from Ellis Island and view one of the worlds most iconic land marks. For so many, this incredibl structure symbolises safety, hope and new beginnings.
The Museum is free, but you need to buy your access ticket from Battery Park, New York where you travel by Ferry to the Island. Your Ferry and access ticket are one and the same. The Museum opens from 9.00am -5.00m but during the summer months, these hours extend into the evening.
History Fact
Entry into America was once a simple affair – if you were rich, you were in. If you had travelled as a First or Second Class Passenger, you were allowed entry – usually without questioning. For those travelling Third Class however, a physical examination had to be passed. It wasn’t the most thorough of tests – and generally lasted no more than a few minutes! People with poor physical health (which usually meant they had contagious diseases) were sent to Ellis Island Hospital to recover and only a very small number of individuals were not granted access to the mainland – either because of obvious mental health problems or known criminal activity.
There are many companies who fly direct to New York, including British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, so getting over the water couldn’t be simpler. You’ll never be short of things to see and do in New York, but set aside some time to visit The Ellis Island Museum. It’s a fascinating and moving place – the foundation stone of modern America.