Welcome to the Park of the Month newsletter for January 2026. This month we’re featuring one of America’s most iconic landmarks 134 years after it first opened on January 1, 1892.
Ellis Island
Location
New York Harbor, United States
Claim to fame
For over 60 years, Ellis Island was the busiest and most iconic entry point for those immigrating to the United States. Between 1892 and 1954, the island’s facilities processed over 12 million immigrants, making it one of the largest migration sites in modern history. An estimated 2 out of every 5 current US citizens is descended from immigrants who passed through Ellis Island.
Reason to visit
Today Ellis Island is overseen by the US National Park Service as a part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument. The island is only accessible via ferry, allowing visitors to arrive by water just as millions of immigrants once did. The site features original structures and exhibits, including the beautiful red-brick main building which today houses the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration.
Wild Fact
Immigrants arriving at Ellis Island did not need a passport, visa, or any other documentation to enter the United States. They could be detained or deported for a variety of reasons however, including illness, disability, or lack of education or skills for labor. For immigrants, Ellis Island was known both as the Island of Hope and the Island of Tears.
Want to learn more about Ellis Island? Visit the park’s website.
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