Why go
This is the central indoor visit on Ellis Island. The building itself was an immigration station, so rooms such as the Registry Room connect the exhibits to the process people experienced. Galleries also look beyond the station's 1892–1954 operating years, making it useful even if your family did not pass through this port.
What to look for
- The Registry Room occupies the hall where arrivals underwent inspections.
- The Main Building dates from 1900, after fire destroyed the first station.
- The Peopling of America galleries extend the story beyond the Ellis Island era.
Useful to know
- Start with the historic rooms, then use the galleries to follow the larger migration story.
- If researching a relative, set aside separate time for the Family Immigration History Center.