About Ellis Island

Ellis Island is a great national landmark and irreplaceable American icon. From 1892 to 1954, the island served as a gateway into the United States for over 12 million people from all over the world. Today nearly 40% of all Americans can trace their roots to Ellis Island. In 1954, the island was closed but not protected from the elements of weather. In recognition of its importance to our heritage and the need for its preservation, Ellis Island was added to the National Park System in 1965 as part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument.

The American public, led by the Statue of Liberty - Ellis Island Foundation, contributed all of the funds to restore the Ellis Island Immigration Station's Main Building and reopen it as a Museum in 1990. Almost two million visitors a year visit this national park to learn about and retrace the steps of immigrants who were examined and processed here before beginning a new life in this country.

Yet much of the island remains closed to the public. Save Ellis Island, Inc. has joined the National Park Service to raise funds to rescue and reuse these buildings.