The USA as a Country of Immigration
At the end of the 19th century, the USA became a popular destination for immigrants. At Ellis Island, there were sometimes up to 500 employees at work as they had to process between 400 and 500 applications daily. On April 17, 1907, a record-breaking 12,000 immigrants were registered who wanted to live the American Dream.In the Footsteps of the Immigrants
The Ellis Island National Immigration Museum is housed in the main building of the original immigration complex. Visitors can walk in the footsteps of the immigrants of that time. The exhibition leads through the former grand hall, the dormitories, and the baggage room. You can experience the history of the people up close.An island with many names
Ellis Island had many different names over time. While the island was called Oyster Island (‘oyster island’) by Dutch settlers in the 17th century due to the abundance of shellfish, it was later known for a while as Gibbet Island, where pirates were hanged. It was not until 1861 that Ellis Island was named after its former owner Samuel Ellis, although the island was still used as a public picnic place until 1807. It only became part of New York's Immigration Station after 1890.