Ellis Island and The Trip Over
The New Colossus Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame, With conquering limbs astride from land to land; Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame. "Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!
Ellis Island Open 1892-1954 and replaced the Castle Garden Immigration Center Over 12 million immigrants processed in Ellis Island More than 2% of all immigrants were rejected for physical or mental health reasons - How would it feel to give up everything and make the long voyage only to be rejected? Those who were ill and allowed to stay could not be admitted until they recovered - Over 3000 people died in the medical facilities - Common causes for rejection or quarantine were eye problems like conjunctivitis or trachoma
Ellis Island Automatically rejected those who did not have enough money to get started (usually $18-25) Asked people a series of 29 questions such as: - Are you a polygamist? - What is your destination? - Do you know anyone here? - Do you have a reference from your home country? Had enough bunk-beds for several thousand people to stay the night
Steerage
Castle Garden
Arrival
Stair Test & Processing
Checking for Eye Problems
Health Symbols Symbols were chalked on the clothing of potential immigrants if they had any health problems Different symbols for different ailments
Great Hall
Stairs of Separation