Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration

Category: Museum

Address: Ellis Island Bridge, Jersey City, NJ 10280, USA

Phone: +18329600009

Opening hours

Sunday: 9:45AM–4:45PM

Monday: 9:45AM–4:45PM

Tuesday: 9:45AM–4:45PM

Wednesday: 9:45AM–4:45PM

Thursday: 9:45AM–4:45PM

Friday: 9:45AM–4:45PM

Saturday: 9:45AM–4:45PM

Reviews

W T

Oct 20, 2022

Prior to 1890, individual states, rather than the Federal Government, regulated immigration into the United States. Castle Garden (now Castle Clinton), located in the Battery of Manhattan, served as the New York State immigration station from 1855 to 1890. Approximately eight million immigrants passed through its doors, mostly from Northern European countries; this constituted the first large wave of immigrants to settle and populate the U.S. In the 1800s, rising political instability, economic distress, and religious persecution plagued Europe, fueling the largest mass human migration in the history of the world. Around 1890, it became apparent that Castle Garden was ill-equipped and unprepared to handle the mass influx, leading the Federal government to construct a new immigration station on Ellis Island. During construction, the Barge Office in the Battery was used for immigrant processing. The new structure on Ellis Island began receiving arriving immigrants on January 1, 1892. Annie Moore, a teenage girl from Ireland, accompanied by her two younger brothers, made history as the very first immigrant to be processed at Ellis Island. Over the next 62 years, more than 12 million immigrants would arrive in the United States via Ellis Island.

Teashia Stennet

Oct 19, 2022

The ceiling was the most beautiful thing to see, i would prefer to see it in it's original format than the displays put up.

Oliver S (23GT.net)

Oct 18, 2022

The Ellis Island Museum provides a fascinating overview of immigration in the United States from the well-known instances - such as the Irish diaspora due to the potato famine of the 1800s - to the utterly obscure, like the handful of Filipino galleon sailors who escaped their lot by fleeing to Louisiana in 1765, centuries before the Filipino people's own global diaspora. The building housing the museum itself practically oozes history as you wander through the various areas that served to house thousands of new arrivals to America decades ago as they themselves navigated the intricacies of entering a different country. The restored Registry Room on the second floor in particular is majestic in its size and the fact that every day for decades it was the most important step for new immigrants as they first registered to enter the country. Side rooms have more focused exhibits that chronicle various aspects of the process from medical exams to getting transportation once approved to the dreaded chalk marks that were put on immigrants' coats that sometimes meant a sad trip back to Europe after rejection. There are also two theaters showing the moving 35-minute documentary “Island of Hope, Island of Tears” that's well worth the watch. Lastly, the museum store is chock full of great souvenirs of both Ellis Island and Liberty Island and the staff are very helpful. As an immigrant myself I found the museum to be fascinating and would have budgeted more time for it if I'd been able to. I highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in our nation's history.

jose tapia

Oct 18, 2022

Nice place, full of history of the illusions and dreams of the immigrants who arrived in New York

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Questions & Answers

List of Italian immigrants from New York

A Google User | Oct 19, 2020
Amokaka | Jan 22, 2022

😘😍

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How to access the lists of migrants who passed through there

Lola Vergel | Oct 19, 2021
Marlenis Hernández Fernández | Oct 19, 2021

How to know if my grandfather passed by, his name is Rigoberto Hernández Martín, he traveled from Tenerife to Cuba in 1925, arriving in Cuba at the beginning of 1926.

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Can we skip Statue of L and go to Ellis Island

Nancy Church | Oct 19, 2020
Siva Subramanian | Oct 19, 2020

Yes, you can.

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Who is the chef at the Caffeteria - I hear the food is very good

Pauline Black | Oct 20, 2019
Alex Kemeny | Oct 20, 2019

That is a ridiculous question. Anyway, you don't go to Ellis Island for the food.

How many visitors in 2017?

Giovanni Posocco | Oct 20, 2019
Fabiano Figueiredo | Oct 20, 2019

Great place, Bnno

how handicap accessible is ellis island and the statue of liberty

Paulette Konczos | Jul 21, 2022
Dream Maker | Jul 21, 2022

yes it is

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I am in France and relatives have emigrated to the US I would like to see when they passed through NY. Some time ago a friend showed me the Elis Island site and we could see (free) the arrival etc.. Is it possible ? Thanks

michèle maigret | May 22, 2022
Pierre-Baptiste Lechien | May 22, 2022

Hello Michele, you can also, for 10$, have one hour access to the digital archives of Ellis Island, on a computer. Thanks to a name, you will be able to see the history of all those who have passed by Ellis Island with the dates, the boats etc. No need to book, once you are on the island, it is accessible in the museum!!

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what would you do if when you okay so he said yes would go?

ant ny | May 22, 2022
Jaunel | Jun 21, 2022

You should go

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Do I need proof of vaccination to visit elis Island and statue of liberty?

Boruch Chaikin | Dec 23, 2021
Ana Lucía Arteaga Ortega | Dec 23, 2021

You don't need to show the vaccination proof.

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List of Croatian immigrants in the USA

Ivica Kaćunko | Nov 23, 2021
Nancy Figley | Nov 23, 2021

Everyone who came to America had to pass through the island of Ellis, so there should be records of Croatian immigrants. Computers and staff are available to help you explore the island’s museum.

Is it easy to get to the Statue of Liberty once you're here? Or do you need a separate booking.

Jacob Day | Oct 19, 2021
Carolyn Hayes | Oct 19, 2021

When you book your ticket to the Statue of Liberty, you should also book Ellis Island. Then, when the boat docks at the Statue of Liberty, get off and enjoy your visit to the statue. When you're finished, you'll see a line forming every half hour to board the boat to Ellis Island. When you're ready to go to Ellis Island, board the boat and get off at Ellis Island. Then, when you're finished visiting Ellis Island, the boat arrives every half hour to take you bach to Manhattan. It's very easy to go from Manhattan to the Statue of Liberty, then onto Ellis Island, and then back to Manhattan. Enjoy your visit!

do you have wheelchairs available ?

Merle Lawson | Oct 19, 2020
Chu | Oct 19, 2020

I did not see wheelchairs.

My question concerns donations to the museum. I have my grandmothers wedding dress that she brought with her from Sicily. Would the Museum accept an item like this for their collection? Thank you.

joe savastano | Oct 20, 2019
Elma Sandy Inturias Gómez | Oct 20, 2019

+1 832-960-0009

Were Ellis Island immigrants required to become legal American citizens? Did they have to pass a test?

Greg Thomas | Oct 20, 2019
Michael Kohut | Oct 19, 2020

No, that's incorrect. Upon disembarking the ship, all immigrants were screened by medical personnel. All those who failed the tests were returned to their Homeland. Those who passed the initial Health test were then given additional screening, and asked to declare their intentions. Once their intentions were declared there were many other forms and months, sometimes years, remaining before citizenship was granted, upon completion of studies and a written Test. Most immigrants learned to speak and write English, unlike today, as many people continue to speak their native tongue and refuse to learn English. All immigrants upon arrival had to renounce citizenship of their former Country and declare allegiance to the United States of America. Also, quite unlike today, most immigrants became PRODUCTIVE members of our Great America, and were NOT given free handouts.

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Do you need to purchase tickets in advance for Ellis island

Munir Nakuru | Oct 20, 2019
Elma Sandy Inturias Gómez | Oct 20, 2019

No, only for the interior of the Statue of Liberty.

Can I use National Park Pass?

Deirdre Beardmore-Thompson | Oct 20, 2019
Alex Kemeny | Oct 20, 2019

I think so. It is a National Park.

What is good for 1hr stay in this island?

Moung Choi | Oct 20, 2019
Belur Vijayakumar | Oct 20, 2019

Visit the museum. It is an immersive place

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Can you enter with food?

Cami Guerra | Oct 20, 2019
Charlene Ashley | Oct 19, 2020

Studda bubba or petsuela

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how do I find my family who immigrated to this country at Ellis Island

Alison Hales | Oct 20, 2019
Gitesh Kumar | Oct 20, 2019

Read those names written along side by the shore stones...

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Is Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration in New York or elsewhere?

Rotimi Omoniyi | Oct 20, 2019
Shannon Johnston | Oct 20, 2019

It's between New York and New Jersey (Technically in both). There is a ferry that can take you there from either Battery Park in NY or Liberty State Park in NJ.

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