Ellis Island

immigration · New York Harbor · American history · people

Gateway to America. Ellis Island was the busiest immigration station in the United States, where about 12 million immigrants were checked and processed as they arrived at the Port of New York and New Jersey. So many people came through that two-fifths of all Americans today might have an ancestor who stepped foot on this island.

Island in the harbor. Ellis Island is located in New York Harbor, right between New Jersey and New York. Today you can only get there by ferry, making it a special place to visit.

Museum and monument. The north side of Ellis Island has a national museum all about immigration, telling the stories of the millions who arrived there. The south side, including the old immigrant hospital, is open to visitors through guided tours.

Part of Liberty Monument. Ellis Island has been part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument since 1965, connecting it to one of America's most famous symbols of freedom and welcome.