A photographic documentary of the peak years of immigration, and Ellis Island's subsequent decline and restoration. The rich, multi-ethnic history of America's most significant immigration point is portrayed in photographs spanning more than a century. Photographic contributors include Lewis Hine, Augustus Sherman, Edward Levick, Jerry Uelsman, Shirley C.Burden, Mariana Cook, Sylvia Plachy and Emmet Gowin. Ancestors of nearly half of all the people living in the United States today came to America through the immigration port of Ellis Island. Like the Statue of Liberty, the faces on Mt Rushmore, and the Golden Gate Bridge, Ellis Island has come to represent the expansive spirit of the nation, a symbol of its identity. In 1984, Ellis Island was closed to allow massive reconstruction. Now after a six-year hiatus, this entry point to America for more than twelve million immigrants between 1892 and 1954 will reopen to the public. More than 1.5 million people are expected to explore the new part in the first year.
The massive restoration of this historic site, scheduled to reopen in September, 1990, is being commemorated by Aperture with publication of this book of photographs and oral histories.
- ISBN10 0893813966
- ISBN13 9780893813963
- Publish Date 15 June 2005
- Publish Status Temporarily Withdrawn
- Out of Print 28 January 2005
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Aperture
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 160
- Language English