Immigration Day

On Friday, the kids traveled back in time to 1902, and journeyed across the sea and navigated through the medical and legal inspections of Ellis Island. We concluded our journey with a remarkable feast with foods from over 25 countries. The stunning photos below were moments captured by John Lamb.

The Ship: Nieuw Amsterdam
Our immigrants began travel on the Nieuw Amsterdam. Their passage, determined by fate, was either in the bowels of the ship peeling potatoes and cutting onions, perched in 2nd class sewing buttons and eating family style, or lounging in the luxury of 1st class through a 4 course meal. Of course the Nieuw Amsterdam has only the best ship crew to be found!

Medical Inspections
After setting eyes on Lady Liberty in the New York harbor, the immigrants took a ferry to Ellis Island. Their medical inspections included many difficult tasks like walking up stairs, explaining away those mysterious red dots on faces and hands, and passing an eye exam. They navigated through various doctors dressed in scrubs and lab coats, often being detained for medical suspicions or a language barrier.

Legal Negotiations
Once their Immunization Records were completed, the immigrants stood in long lines trying to manage all the legal documents required to enter America. They purchased train tickets to their final destination, pledged their allegiance to the United States, and answered many questions about the country to pass their naturalization test. Many were detained on the suspicion of anarchy, language barriers, or for trying to bribe officials. Nonetheless, they all made it! They all became citizens of the United States, and stood proudly in front of the flag for their identification photos.