Ellis Island National Monument NY and NJ

Part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument, Ellis Island straddles New York and New Jersey and is an important landmark of American historic heritage. In its 62 years of operation (1892-1954) as a federal immigration station, over 12 million immigrants passed through its doors and onto American soil.  Both the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island stand as symbols of freedom and are therefore also are symbols of the American identity.

As you explore Ellis Island, it’s hard not to imagine yourself as one of the 12 million that passed through here, exhausted after a rough sea voyage and overwhelmed by the immigration process. You can walk through the extensive museum exhibit on your own or with a guided tour to explore the monument’s rich history. At special theatrical programs, see professional actors deliver actual immigrant accounts collected in an oral history project for the monument.  The monument is a wonderful educational opportunity for the whole family.

Over forty percent of Americans can trace their ancestry through Ellis Island’s immigration records. If you fall into the forty percent, trace your family ancestry at the American Family Immigration History Center. A unique and fun experience!

Immigration Museum
The wooden structure built in 1892 to house the immigration station burned down after five years. The station's new Main Building, which now houses the Immigration Museum, was opened in 1900. Architects Edward Lippincott Tilton and William Alciphron Boring received a gold medal at the 1900 Paris Exposition for the building's design and constructed the building at a cost of $1.5 million. The architecture competition was the second under the Tarsney Act, which had permitted private architects rather than government architects in the Office of the Supervising Architect to design federal buildings.

The American Immigrant Wall of Honor
A special feature of the Ellis Island museum, the Wall of Honor overlooks the Statue of Liberty and the New York skyline and is the longest wall of names in the world. This unique display pays tribute to America's rich cultural heritage, celebrating American immigration from its earliest beginnings right up to the present day, and contains more than 700,000 names inscribed for posterity by family members and friends.

The National Park Service is currently restoring Ellis Island, making it safe so that it may reopen as soon as possible.

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your reservation needs. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com.

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Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
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