Jul 10 2011 08:52 pm
Posted by under ADMIN ONLY - featured,Extra Credit Assignment
My visit to Ellis Island
Taking the trip to Ellis Island was a great adventure. Waiting through the long lines, and taking the ferry to the island, gave me just a taste of what it felt like for the immigrants that came to New York City in the 1892 to 1924. This was my first visit to Ellis Island, and seeing this gorgeous building was an amazing site to see in person. Walking through the museum i saw old luggage that some immigrants carried with them to Ellis Island. This really gave me a sense of how much they could carry with them to NYC at the time. Over 100 million Americans, today can trace back to the immigrants that crossed Ellis Island before settling in other regions of the country.
This museum told the story of many immigrant families that came to the US. Each person had a different story to tell. When i saw the Registry Room in person, it was an amazing site to see. In the years of 1900- 1924 the Registry Room was filled with immigrants, upto 5,000 people a day would walk through this room. The Registry Room was used to determine whether or not the incoming immigrants can pass through or deny their entrance to the US. Manuals where also given to immigrants who just arrived, to show them where they can get jobs and find housing. Manuals where given in many different languages so anyone can find a job and housing.
Walking through the museum, i visited an area where there were images of children and how they lived. The schools and living conditions were in really poor shape. Most children where news boys and many had to learn English. Many children learned English because they were young, and it was easier for them than their parents.Children were mostly translators for their parents, that is why they were called the “Go- Betweens”. Children were also used as cheap labor for many factories across the US. Many families depended on their children to either work in a textile factory, or pick up the chores at home so the parents can work. The conditions that the children worked in were worse than the adults and many worked 10-12 hours a day. The rate for accidents with children was three times higher than adults. Soon in 1904, the National Child Labor Committee, formed labor laws for children by exposing the cruel conditions that they work in. By 1914, 35 states didn’t allow children under 14 to work and required minors to go to school. They also lowered their work days to 8 hours a day.
Reading through some stories, and seeing these pictures in person made me get a closer look on how immigrants lived and worked. I also saw posters of Public schools giving out free textbooks for immigrants. These textbooks were to help them get an American Citizenship, and to learn the language and laws of the government. Also when America entered World War I, they encouraged immigrants to serve in the army, and be more American to show their loyalty to America. So not only did they have to learn the language, and dress American, they were encouraged to join the army to show their true loyalty, and if they didn’t join, immigrants would be harassed by jingoists. Jingoists are extreme nationalists who use extreme foreign policy.
My visit to the museum on Ellis Island was really interesting. It gave me an inside view of the lives of many immigrants that make up the US today. I wish i had more time to stay and see all the exhibits. But for the time spent in the museum I’ve come to appreciate my family’s’ journey to the US even more, and also how many other families left their homes in other countries to start a new life in a new unfamiliar land.