Ellis Island is located at the mouth of the Hudson River in New York Bay, about one kilometer from the southern tip of Manhattan. An alternative name is the Island of Hope and Tears, mostly its territory belongs to Jersey City, but a small part of it is considered an exclave of New York. It is one of the main attractions of the United States, which is under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service of the country.
Historical facts
Previously, only birds lived at the mouth of the Hudson River, and the Indians called the place Seagull Island. Everything changed when in 1774, merchant Samuel Ellis bought a piece of land in this place and opened a tavern where fishermen often liked to come. The island got its name in his honor. It was preserved after the Ellis heirs sold the island to the State of New York for $10,000.
After that, the land area became larger, because they began to bring land from Manhattan, which remained after the construction of the subway. In 1890, the Federal Government gained control of the influx of immigrants. At that time, $75,000 was allocated to open an immigration center on Ellis Island, which operated from 1892 to 1954. On the very first day, 700 people visited the institution, and the number of visitors for the year was approximately 450,000.
Description in detail
Ellis Island is owned by the U.S. Federal Government. Since 1965, it has been recognized as part of the "Statue of Liberty" monument, which is located on the neighboring island of the same name. The area of Ellis Island is 11 hectares, it was mainly formed due to the soil removed during the construction of the subway. The main attraction is the Immigration Museum, a building with 4 copper domes built in the early 20th century in the Renaissance style.
The first immigrant was a schoolgirl from Ireland, Annie Moore. Along with congratulations, she received $10,000. A sculpture of a 15-year-old teenager adorns the museum. In total, there are more than 2,000 exhibits, including documents describing the history of the island, and information about how different peoples moved to the United States and other countries. The "American Flag in Faces" panel is installed in the central lobby, where immigrants of several generations can upload their photos and become a part of history. A Wall of Honor has been erected on the eastern edge of Ellis Island, where the names of more than half a million immigrants are imprinted on copper plates. Among the visitors are the descendants of these people who come here to honor the memory of their ancestors.
How to get
You can only get to Ellis Island by ferry. Please note that private vessels are prohibited from mooring at Ellis and Liberty Islands. Ferries depart from Battery Park in New York and Liberty Park in Jersey City. In order not to stand in line to buy tickets, you can pre-purchase them online without leaving your home.
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