ELLIS ISLAND IMMIGRATION MUSEUM

A New York must-see. Reopened with great fanfare in 1990 after six years of restoration work (at a cost of $160 million), the imposing buildings of Ellis Island saw the passage of 12 million immigrants, mainly from Eastern Europe, between 1892 and 1954. Named after its original owner, Mr. Samuel Ellis, Ellis Island was purchased by the federal government in 1808 before being converted into an immigrant reception center from 1892 to 1943. From 1943 to 1954, it served as a detention center for illegal immigrants. For its historical role, this small island was attached to the Statue of Liberty and declared a historic monument. A museum has been built here, dedicated to the memory of the immigrants who passed through the Golden Door. A visit that rhymes with emotion. In the lobby, a long procession of trunks, suitcases, baskets and baskets bears witness to departures with no thought of return, but also to the poverty of those fleeing famine, lack of future or oppression. The United States, a symbol of freedom of expression, opinion, religion and economic opportunity for all these people, represented a real promise for the future. This tour explains not only how the United States welcomed all these people, but also the criteria by which certain minorities were denied entry, quarantined and then sent back to their distant homelands. The immigration process lasted a day at best. Boats unloaded their cargoes of exiles in Manhattan. The wealthiest could pass through immigration on the boat itself, and didn't have to stop at Ellis Island. The others boarded barges, which took them to the island. If you were admitted, you could go to Manhattan or New Jersey, to a future paved with hardship. That's how millions of immigrants came to populate this America, armed with a bundle, a few dollars and a free train ticket. Today, more than half of New York's population is descended from these adventurers. In the museum, you can see the Grand Hall, where new arrivals anxiously awaited their turn for medical examinations and followed administrative procedures. If the results didn't meet the selection criteria, immigrants were sent back to their homelands. You can attend a screening of Island of Hope, Island of Tears, a fictional film inspired by the story of these characters. Some 30 galleries present objects from daily life, personal or religious, family photos, jewelry and clothing bequeathed to the museum by the descendants of immigrants, as well as historical photos and maps. The famous American Immigrant Wall of Honor displays the names of over 600,000 people honored by their descendants, including George Washington's great-grandfather, John F. Kennedy, Gregory Peck and Barbra Streisand. A place steeped in history and full of emotion.

In May 2015, the museum inaugurated two new rooms, which make up the Peopling of America Center. This extension of the museum tells the story of immigration to the United States pre- and post-Ellis Island, that is, before 1892 and after 1954. It covers the arrival of Native Americans, European settlers, slaves from Africa and, more recently, people from Ireland and Mexico. These rooms also evoke the evolution of means of transport, from week-long crossings by boat to 3.5-hour flights by Concorde. Testimonials from new arrivals explaining what the United States means to them intersperse the various sections on the history of immigration to America.

Since 2014, it has been possible to visit the Ellis Island hospitals. This is where, between 1902 and 1950, immigrants who were not healthy enough to be granted entry to the United States ended up. The medical examination was the first step when disembarking from the ship; at a glance, the doctor was able to determine the immigrants' general state of health. Those carrying contagious diseases were quarantined on two small islands off Staten Island. The others remained within the walls of Ellis Island Hospital until their condition improved. They could then finally enter the United States. 275,000 patients passed through the hospital, 4,000 lost their lives and 350 babies were born! The hospital tour takes 90 minutes. It is not part of the standard tour and can be booked separately on the website: www.statueoflibertytickets.com.

Tip: take the first boats, as the influx of visitors can restrict access to the statue and museum. The visit can be exhausting (around 3 hours), especially in summer, and the wait at the ticket office, as at the ferry, interminable (from 45 minutes to 1h30). It would be a shame not to be able to enjoy it, or to spend the day waiting for your turn. As spacious as the hall is, the areas open to visitors are narrow. If there are more than ten people per room, you'll feel suffocated.