Many historians believe that 1 out of every 4 Americans can date their family tree through the immigration center at Ellis Island in Manhattan, New York from the 1890s to the 1950s when the doors shut for good. Fairview 8th graders had the opportunity to "step" in the shoes of some of their relatives by taking part in a simulation of the immigration process at Ellis Island. |
The day they arrived in America, our students dressed the part and came to school in costumes reflective of what immigrants might wear in 1910. Costumes included old dresses, beards, top hats, and even an eye patch and a toilet paper company! Students arrived in Ellis Island (the auditorium lobby) and hoped to get into America (the auditorium) by the end of the simulation. Just one problem, they had to pass a medical test, citizenship test, and the strict workers that awaited them. They had to do all this with only 5 words of English and limited funds. Many families came down with sicknesses, got caught cheating and stealing, and many were deported. But lucky enough for them, most, but not all students, got to the Land of Opportunity to fulfill their dreams in America. Many of the pictures capture the story of the day, but like anything in history, it is the stories that really capture the moment in time!