Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
Today was a day I crossed something off my bucket list. Ever since i was a little girl I have dreamed of going to the Statue of Liberty. I have been to New York 3 times before this and have always been disappointed to be so close it it but not able to go. So this trip I made it a priority.
The day didn't promise good weather and it was raining once we stepped outside. Mimsy and I pushed the stroller down to Battery Park to catch a ferry. Aaralyn was so excited to go on a boat. Mimsy offered to watch the girls so I could go above and check out the view. The Financial District offered quite an imposing sight from across the river.
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| Downtown Manhattan |
The new Freedom Tower being built at Ground Zero just recently claimed the spot of the tallest building in Manhattan. You can see it on the left disappearing into the clouds.
I turned the other way, and there it was, the Statue of Liberty.
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| Statue of Liberty |
As I looked at her I thought about all the immigrants who had left everything and everyone they ever knew, traveling miles and miles for weeks on end, in crowded, smelly ships on the hope that they could find a better life.
Then, finally, their first view of America; a speck on the horizon getting bigger and bigger is this beautiful statue holding aloft the flame of Liberty for all to see. A flame that has come to embody all the faith, dreams, and hope America offers to the world. What a first impression.
The statue representing Libertas- the Roman goddess of freedom, was a gift from France envisioned by Frederic Bartholdi. After going through their own revolution France wanted a joint project raised to American Independence so they offered to construct the Statue if America agreed to supply the pedestal.
Apparently, many Americans protested the idea and were offended at the thought of someone offering them a gift and then requiring them to foot part of the bill. By the time the Statue was ready and shipped to America, the pedestal still wasn't built and had to wait another year before being constructed.
Aaralyn got bored and kept trying to peek out the back of the stroller so I finally opened it up so she could look around.
We hopped back on the ferry and ate lunch while we waited for our next stop. Ellis Island.
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| Ellis Island |
Ellis Island was opened by the federal government and operated from 1892 until 1954. Prior to this, most immigrants were processed by the states, especially New York.
The first immigrant was a 15 year old from Ireland named Annie Moore followed by an estimated 10.5 million more.
The average immigrant stayed between 2-5 hours but those who were delayed for health or record problems were kept on the second floor where there were dormitories and a cafeteria. The dormitories were full of 2-person wide and 3 level high bunk beds that could be lifted up during the day to provide living space.
Mimsy saw a 30 min film about the immigrant experience and said it was quite touching. Unfortunately for me, the girls had had enough of sitting quietly so I left the movie and walked through a great exhibit about immigrant groups from 1550 to present day that was really interesting.
I had checked with grandmas from both of our families to see if we had someone who came through Ellis Island. The Auxier's were here before the Revolutionary War and the other sides of our families came as pioneers before Ellis Island was opened.
Although I don't have a personal connection to Ellis Island, I enjoyed the experience of walking through another's shoes and felt a new love for my country and ancestors. The blessings my family and I have to live in America because at one point someone decided they wanted something more in life for them and their family are humbling.
Our lives are testimonies of the fact that The American Dream is alive and well!
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