The Registry Room

Date coming soon Ellis Island Museum Baggage Room

Once off the ferries, immigrants crowded through the main entrance of Ellis Island into this room where they could check their baggage. With thousands of people being inspected every day, keeping track of everyone's belongings was a major logistical problem and lost baggage a common complaint. Some immigrants, refusing to check their possessions, insisted on carrying them through the entire inspection routine. Today, the Baggage Room is the entrance to the museum and features century-old luggage from the Ellis Island era, an introductory exhibit about the history of immigration to the United States, and the World Migration Globe.

Date coming soon Ellis Island Museum Journeys: The Peopling of America 1550 – 1890

"Journeys" explores the early history of immigration before Ellis Island opened as an immigration station. It examines how immigration, both voluntary and involuntary, shaped the early landscape of this country and introduces visitors to the diverse groups of people, who, before 1890, populated the land that would become the United States.

Date coming soon Ellis Island Museum Journeys: New Eras of Immigration, 1945-Present

Explore the history of immigration after Ellis Island closed as an immigration station in "New Eras." Examine how technology has shaped contemporary immigration. Through dynamic media, first-hand accounts, and interactive elements, you may find that although some aspects of immigration has changed, much as stayed the same. Then, learn more about becoming American in the "Citizenship Gallery." In this exhibit, you can answer some of the questions that are asked in the nationalization test to become an American citizen!

Date coming soon Ellis Island Museum The Hearing Room

Located in the "Through America's Gate" exhibit, the "Hearing Room," has been restored to look as it did around 1911, during the period when it served as a Board of Special Inquiry hearing room. About 10% of the persons arriving at Ellis Island were held for a legal hearing.

Date coming soon Ellis Island Museum Through America's Gate

The exhibits in the west wing on the second floor of the museum describe step-by-step what most new arrivals experienced on Ellis Island, the federal government's first immigrant inspection depot. Ellis Island's main function was to screen out those considered undesirable – the incurably ill, the impoverished, the disabled, criminals, and all others barred by the immigration laws of the United States.

Date coming soon Ellis Island Museum Peak Immigration Years: 1880-1924

The exhibits in the east wing on the second floor of the museum explore immigration to the United States during the period from 1880 to 1924. The late 19th century and early 20th centuries saw the largest migrations of people in world history. Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Brazil, and Canada were all popular destinations, but the majority of immigrants chose the United States. Between 1880 and 1924, the peak immigration years, over 26 million people entered the country.