Ellis Island

Ellis Island was such a cool place. Christian's great grandfather cam through Ellis Island on his way to Pennsylvania and eventually Utah to work in the coal mining industry. It was an amazing experience to think of all the people and the hopes and dreams that walked through this building.

The museum was very informative and it gave me a strong sense of appreciation for those who came before me. I also felt a very strong confirmation that there really are no accidents; not in life, and not in the course of history. The perfect storm of European oppression and American liberty made it possible for so many people to search for something that they would not have had in their own country. Not only that, but to make the journey to America took a remarkable effort.

We watched a really interesting movie about the American immigration policies and how they shaped the type and and quantity of people who built up this country. We also got to hear a speech given by the most animated park ranger of all time. Never in my life could I have imagined someone so knowledgeable and passionate about immigration.

Maybe Christian's great grandfather walked down this same hall?

 

We know for sure that he walked down these same stairs. One of the park rangers talked to us about the stairs at the end of the processing hall. As an immigrant, if you were going to stay in New York you walked down the left side of the stairs. If you were going anywhere else in the country you walked down the right. The stairs have never been replaced, they are the exact stairs every Ellis Island immigrant walked down. So we walked down the right side.

It rained on us off and on throughout the day, so Julie picked up these ponchos on the Statue of Liberty ferry ride. I wasn't sure if it make me look "touristy" or not... hmmm..