Ellis Island National Monument
Ellis Island
Opened on January 1, 1892, Ellis Island became the nation's premier federal immigration station. The station processed over 12 million immigrant steamship passengers tracing the ancestry of over 40% of America's population.
At A Glance
In The Park
Superintendent: Cynthia GarrettPhone Number: 212-363-3200
Entrance Fees: Adult Ferry Fee (ages 13 & older): $12; Child Ferry Fee (ages 4-12): $5; Senior (ages 62 & older): $10
Sights: American Family Immigration History Center; Statue of Liberty
Important Dates
Established as Park: September 10, 1990By The Numbers
Acres: 58.00Location
Latitude / Longitude :40.698650 / -74.040710 (map it)
State: NJ
Nearby Big City: New York, NJ
Gateway Communities: New York, NY; Jersey City, NJ
Nearby Airports: Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR); John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK); LaGuardia International Airport (LGA)
Green Features
Has Recycling? : YesHas Shuttle System? : Yes
Has Volunteer Program? : Yes
Park Photos
Ellis Island Building E...
Leyla Heckrotte
Ellis Island Lighting F...
Sheldon Kralstein
Interior of the Great H...
Bill Grove
View More Ellis Island Photos
In Detail
At A Glance "Our growth as a nation has been achieved, in large measure, through the genius and industry of immigrants of every race and from every quarter of the world. The story of their pursuit of happiness is ... read more.
At Your Fingertips Park Information (212) 363-3200 www.nps.gov/stli Emergencies (212) 363-3260 Ferryboat Information (212) 269-5755 www.statueoflibertyferry.com Lost and Found (212) 363-3200 Dining, Catering, Gifts an ... read more.
Chronology April 11, 1890 Designated an immigration station. Jan. 1, 1892 Opened as an immigration station. June 14, 1897 Buildings destroyed by fire, but all persons safely evacuated. Dec. 17, 1900 Reo ... read more.
Destined For Fame These immigrants passed through Ellis Island and went on to illustrious careers. Name (Date of Birth—Death) Native Country Arrived Field Charles Atlas (1894—1972) Italy 1903 Bodybuilding ... read more.
Ellis Island Immigration Center On April 17, 2001, the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, Inc. opened an exciting family history research facility, the American Family Immigration History Center, at the Ellis Island Immig ... read more.
Ferry Building Restoration The Ellis Island Ferry Building is the first of 30 un-restored buildings on Ellis Island for which Save Ellis Island, working in partnership with the National Park Service, has raised the funds to co ... read more.
History of Ellis Island THE EARLY YEARS Located in the upper New York Bay, a short distance from the New Jersey shore, Ellis Island was originally known to American Indians as Kioshk, or Gull Island, named for the birds tha ... read more.
Immigration Journey In his book, A Nation of Immigrants, John F. Kennedy writes, "There were probably as many reasons for coming to America as there were people who came. It was a highly individual decision." Histo-rian ... read more.
They Came From Many Lands Below is a breakdown by country of the number of immigrants who passed through Ellis Island from January 1892 to June 1897, and from 1901 to 1931. Exceptions to those years have been noted in parenth ... read more.
Transportation Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Ferry: Boats leave from Battery Park, Manhattan and from Liberty State Park, New Jersey. They run about every 30 to 45 minutes starting at 9 a.m. (ferry schedules a ... read more.
Visitor Services Location Ellis Island is located in New York Harbor. General Information Please call (212) 363-3200, or write the Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island, Liberty Island, New York, NY 1 ... read more.
Welcome to Ellis Island Welcome to the Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island. The Statue of Liberty was presented by the people of France to the people of the United States in 1886 to honor the friendship bet ... read more.
Your Ancestors Was one of your ancestors an immigrant whose first step on American soil was at Ellis Island? Could your great-great-grandfather or grandmother have walked through these buildings in search of a new ... read more.
Recent News
- Museums Aim to Stir Debate on Modern Immigration August 25, 2008, 12:31 pm
Ellis Island In Depth
News from the Parks
Be Green and Stand Out this Halloween
October 3, 2008 - 8:43pm
It’s the time of year when ghouls, goblins, ghosts and good witches show up in public. And as people of all ages embrace their inner child and alter egos, it becomes increasingly difficult to stand out in the crowd. Instead of fighting the masses at your local costume store, save a little dough and create a custom costume that reuses fabrics and items from around your house. Our teammate Leyla inspired us with her homemade strawberry costume. Made from pillowcases, buttons and colored stockings, it’s a shining example of how to be unique and green—whether your kids are trick or treating or you’re heading to a Halloween ball. Take a closer look at Leyla’s technique, and get inspired to think outside of the storefront and see the costume potential all around you. Leyla’s costume consists of two, red heavyweight pillow shams that she folded—like the first step of a paper airplane nose—into tapered berry-like edges. She used safety pins to secure these edges (so you don’t have to be a wiz on the sewing machine for this). She secured the tops of the pillows together in the same way, leaving an opening in the middle for her head. For a final touch on the berry look, she sewed white seed beads to the cases. You can use green felt and pipe cleaners with a hot glue gun to make a strawberry leaf crown. Leyla suggests wearing a green beret as an alternative, if you can find one. With all of the main components in place, the wearer can use their judgment about green or red apparel and stockings. You can find other great costume ideas here: http://www.robinsfyi.com/holidays/halloween/costumes.htm. Learn how you can transform into a bunch of grapes using purple or green leotards and balloons; a bag of jellybeans costume using colored balloons and a clear garbage bag; and a bat costume using black umbrella and tights. Have a Green Halloween!
October 3, 2008 - 8:43pm
It’s the time of year when ghouls, goblins, ghosts and good witches show up in public. And as people of all ages embrace their inner child and alter egos, it becomes increasingly difficult to stand out in the crowd. Instead of fighting the masses at your local costume store, save a little dough and create a custom costume that reuses fabrics and items from around your house. Our teammate Leyla inspired us with her homemade strawberry costume. Made from pillowcases, buttons and colored stockings, it’s a shining example of how to be unique and green—whether your kids are trick or treating or you’re heading to a Halloween ball. Take a closer look at Leyla’s technique, and get inspired to think outside of the storefront and see the costume potential all around you. Leyla’s costume consists of two, red heavyweight pillow shams that she folded—like the first step of a paper airplane nose—into tapered berry-like edges. She used safety pins to secure these edges (so you don’t have to be a wiz on the sewing machine for this). She secured the tops of the pillows together in the same way, leaving an opening in the middle for her head. For a final touch on the berry look, she sewed white seed beads to the cases. You can use green felt and pipe cleaners with a hot glue gun to make a strawberry leaf crown. Leyla suggests wearing a green beret as an alternative, if you can find one. With all of the main components in place, the wearer can use their judgment about green or red apparel and stockings. You can find other great costume ideas here: http://www.robinsfyi.com/holidays/halloween/costumes.htm. Learn how you can transform into a bunch of grapes using purple or green leotards and balloons; a bag of jellybeans costume using colored balloons and a clear garbage bag; and a bat costume using black umbrella and tights. Have a Green Halloween!
Steve Fossett's Plane Found in Bear Country
October 3, 2008 - 3:57pm
Steve Fossett's plane and a tiny amount of human remains have been found in California near Yosemite National Park, officials confirmed today. The millionaire U.S. adventurer has been missing since early September 2007.
October 3, 2008 - 3:57pm
Steve Fossett's plane and a tiny amount of human remains have been found in California near Yosemite National Park, officials confirmed today. The millionaire U.S. adventurer has been missing since early September 2007.
Hear the Bugle Call
October 3, 2008 - 3:52pm
Hear the sound of the elk echoing through the Rockies. View the golden aspens glistening in the sunlight. Take a deep breath in of the cool mountain air and watch the majestic bull elk chase his harem through Rocky Mountain National Park. Elk Fest celebrates fall in the Rockies and all things Wapiti — the American elk that calls Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park “home.”
October 3, 2008 - 3:52pm
Hear the sound of the elk echoing through the Rockies. View the golden aspens glistening in the sunlight. Take a deep breath in of the cool mountain air and watch the majestic bull elk chase his harem through Rocky Mountain National Park. Elk Fest celebrates fall in the Rockies and all things Wapiti — the American elk that calls Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park “home.”
Victim ID'd in Skiing Death at Rocky Mountain National Park
October 3, 2008 - 3:51pm
The man who was killed this week trying to ski on Taylor Glacier in Rocky Mountain National Park was identified today as Matthew Chesaux of Boulder. Chesaux, 40, died of blunt force injuries, according to the Larimer County coroner. The death also was ruled an accident.
October 3, 2008 - 3:51pm
The man who was killed this week trying to ski on Taylor Glacier in Rocky Mountain National Park was identified today as Matthew Chesaux of Boulder. Chesaux, 40, died of blunt force injuries, according to the Larimer County coroner. The death also was ruled an accident.
Burns Planned for Zion National Park
October 3, 2008 - 3:37pm
A prescribed fire is planned in Zion National Park during the week of Oct. 6. The Three Finger Mesa prescribed fire is 2,100 acres, and the exact date of ignition will depend on weather conditions and the availability to firefighter resources.
October 3, 2008 - 3:37pm
A prescribed fire is planned in Zion National Park during the week of Oct. 6. The Three Finger Mesa prescribed fire is 2,100 acres, and the exact date of ignition will depend on weather conditions and the availability to firefighter resources.
