Explore Immigration History on a School Trip to Ellis Island
Immigration has shaped societies across the globe, creating the vibrant, diverse world we live in today. But how do we truly bring these epic stories to life for students? How do we move beyond dates and names in a textbook and let them feel the human experience of migration? Ellis Island might just be the answer!
This tiny place in New York Harbour acted as the main gateway to the United States during the height of trans‑Atlantic migration. For schools, a trip to Ellis Island isn't just another excursion; it's an immersive journey into the very heart of immigration history, offering unparalleled educational value.
In this guide, we’ll uncover the fascinating history of Ellis Island, outlining each stage of the immigration process, and share some practical tips to help teachers plan a meaningful and memorable historical New York school trip.
What is Ellis Island?
Named after Welsh merchant Samuel Ellis, who bought it in 1774, Ellis Island is a 27.5‑acre patch of reclaimed land situated in the Upper New York Bay, just 1 mile off the southern tip of Manhattan and within sight of the Statue of Liberty. The federal government purchased the island in 1808, becoming the site of Fort Gibson and a naval magazine.
From 1892 until 1954, it served as the nation’s busiest immigration inspection station, replacing the inadequate Castle Garden facility in Battery Park. Ships from Liverpool, Southampton and countless European ports would moor at quarantine anchorage off Staten Island. Steerage passengers (the poorest class) were then ferried to the island for medical and legal checks, while their wealthier shipmates cleared immigration on board.
The complex you see today is actually the third main building. Unfortunately, the original wooden structure burned to the waterline in 1897. Its red‑brick replacement, with lofty Beaux‑Arts arches and a vast Registry Room, opened in December 1900. Extra hospital wings, contagious‑disease wards and a dormitory‑cum‑detention block followed as numbers soared.
After the Second World War, changing laws and aeroplane travel rendered the facility obsolete. It closed in 1954, fell into decay, and was reborn in 1990 as the Ellis Island Immigration Museum under the stewardship of the National Park Service.
How many immigrants passed through Ellis Island?
Between its opening on 1 st January 1892 and its closure on 12 th November 1954, approximately 12 million immigrants were processed on Ellis Island. At its statistical height in 1907, over one million newcomers arrived in a single year, and on 17th April of that same year, a record 11,747 individuals filed through the Registry Room in just one day.
For the vast majority, it was known as the "Island of Hope," representing the promise of a new life and the “American Dream”. However, for a smaller percentage, it became the "Island of Tears," as some individuals were detained, separated from families, or even denied entry and sent back to their home countries due to health issues, legal problems, or other reasons.
Fun fact: It is estimated that around 40% of Americans alive today can trace at least one ancestor who made that fateful journey. These colossal figures turn the idea of America as a ‘nation of immigrants’ from a slogan to reality.
The immigrant experience
Ellis Island was literally “The Golden Door”, a place where dreams of freedom, opportunity, and a better life felt within reach. But before they could enter, many immigrants faced a long and strenuous journey. From crowded ship cabins to confusing inspections and the fear of rejection, the path to America was filled with uncertainty. Here’s a breakdown of their journey:
1. The Journey across the Atlantic
Driven by poverty, famine, and religious persecution, millions left their homelands across Europe in the 1800s. The transatlantic voyage itself was often uncomfortable, cramped and fraught with danger. For weeks, even months (e.g., 40-60 days), hundreds, if not thousands, would live in close quarters, enduring seasickness, unsanitary conditions, disease, and limited provisions.
2. Arrival and screening
After all those weeks in cramped steerage cabins, passengers would finally see the awe-inspiring Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline. Upon arrival, travellers were immediately taken into the main Immigration Building. The vast Registry Room, often called the "Great Hall," was a place of immense anxiety.
There, United States Public Health Service doctors performed rapid ‘six‑second physicals’ to scan for any signs of illness (e.g. trachoma, lameness), marking those with suspected ailments with chalk on their clothing. A dreaded "X" could mean further examination or even exclusion.
3. Legal inspection
For those who passed the medical check, the next stage of the process was legal inspections. Rows of officials were seated behind battered wooden desks, verifying travellers’ names, ages, occupations and their intentions. These questions were designed to expose potential public burdens. For non-English speakers, it could feel incredibly nerve-wracking, as any misstep or perceived dishonesty could lead to deportation.
4. Detention and deportation
This was the moment when families were either reunited and directed to the ferry to Manhattan or separated, with some facing detention or deportation back to their homeland. Roughly 2% of arrivals faced detention—some awaited relatives’ telegrams with financial guarantees; others required further medical assessment.
On history trips to New York, guided tours of the hospital complex, available to school groups by reservation, showcase isolation wards, autopsy rooms, and immigrant graffiti. Artefacts such as confiscated dolls further drive home the personal cost of exclusion.
5. Final processing
Finally, for travellers who passed through Ellis Island, the journey continued. The end of processing brought a short ferry ride to Manhattan or to the Central Railroad of New Jersey terminal in Hoboken. Volunteers from charities such as the YMCA and the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society guided newcomers towards train tickets, meals and temporary lodging. Some families continued directly to relatives in Chicago, Pittsburgh or further afield.
Tips for planning a trip to Ellis Island
Now that we’ve covered the history of Ellis Island, it’s time to start planning. A visit to the Ellis Island Immigration Museum offers students a deeper insight into what it was like to see the Statue of Liberty for the first time, and all the hope and opportunity it symbolised. Here are a few tips to help you organise a smooth, engaging, and educational trip.
Outline learning objectives: Clearly define what you want your students to take away from the experience. Linking to specific curriculum topics such as history, identity, or citizenship will help students make meaningful connections during their time at Ellis Island.
Documentaries/films: Watch relevant documentaries or historical dramas to set the scene. This will help students visualise what life was like for immigrants travelling to America and what they might have experienced on Ellis Island.
Set expectations: Go over what to expect on the day. Let students know how long they’ll be travelling, what they need to bring (e.g. packed lunch, ID, comfortable shoes), and how to stay safe in busy public areas.
Prioritise health and safety: Guarantee the safety of all by conducting risk assessments, having first-aid measures in place, and providing clear guidelines for behaviour and emergency procedures.
Travel logistics and costs: Plan for transportation, accommodation, and entry fees, making sure to budget and organise everything in advance to avoid any last-minute issues.
Choose shoulder seasons: Spring and Autumn are the best times to visit, as they offer pleasant weather and avoid crowds. Winter visits are quieter, but the wind‑chill on deck can feel Arctic.
Combine Liberty and Ellis Island: Ferries departing from Battery Park (New York) and Liberty State Park (Jersey City) include access to both Liberty Island and Ellis Island, making it easy to visit both iconic sites in one trip.
Allocate half a day: Climb to the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty for panoramic views of New York Harbour. Then, head to Ellis Island and allow two to three hours to explore the museum exhibits, including The American Immigrant Wall of Honour.
Educational programmes: The National Park Service (who manage Ellis Island) often offers specific educational programmes and resources for school groups. Check their website for details.
Exhibits at Ellis Island National Immigration Museum
The Ellis Island Immigration Museum offers a wealth of on-site exhibits that are incredibly valuable for students, bringing history to life in a way textbooks simply can't. Highlights include:
The Registry Room (The Great Hall): A vast, echoing hall is where newly arrived immigrants waited, often for hours, to be processed. Standing in this space immediately conveys the scale of the operation and the sheer number of people who passed through. Students can imagine the noise, the anticipation, and the apprehension felt by millions.
The Baggage Room: Located on the ground floor, the Baggage Room is where newly arrived immigrants would have first entered the processing centre. The exhibit features stacks of old suitcases, trunks, and hand-carried parcels—some real, others reconstructed. Seeing what few belongings they carried is a powerful and evocative image for students.
Treasures from Home: A display of the various personal objects people brought with them, such as family photographs, religious items, letters, tools, and family heirlooms. These “treasures” help students connect with the individual identities and cultures of those who arrived.
Journeys: The Peopling of America: The exhibit explores the broader story of migration to the Americas, from pre-Columbian times (1550) through to the present day. It includes interactive displays, maps, multimedia stations, and timelines covering multiple migration waves from every continent. Through this, students learn that Ellis Island is part of a much larger story that spans centuries and continues today.
The American Immigrant Wall of Honour: Located outside the main building, this circular wall features the names of over 700,000 immigrants from all backgrounds and eras, submitted by their descendants. It’s not limited to Ellis Island arrivals, making it a national tribute to all who came to the United States seeking a new life.
Learn more about Ellis Island on a school trip to New York!
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