• Immigrants awaiting inspection in front of Ellis Island's Main Building

    Ellis Island

    Part of Statue of Liberty National Monument NJ,NY

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Early European Use of Liberty and Ellis Islands

Historic Structure Report for Fort Wood

Historic Structure Report for Fort Wood

National Park Service, Statue of Liberty NM

Early European use of Liberty and Ellis Islands, including the construction of Fort Wood and Fort Gibson as part of the military defense system of New York

Information on the architecture and historic structure of Fort Wood can be accessed in the museum archives, summarized in the Fort Wood Historic Structure Report. The history of Fort Gibson is available for research in the archeology survey report in the library and museum collection. In addition to reports, the archives also have copies of the original technical drawings of the forts and their accompanying support buildings.

 
Fort Gibson Archeology Survey Report
A monograph for the 1993 archeological dig for the Wall of Honor
National Park Service, Statue of Liberty NM
 
Blueprint of the powder magazine in Fort Wood
Blueprint of the powder magazine in Fort Wood
National Park Service, Statue of Liberty NM
 

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Did You Know?

Dorm Room

Although most immigrants processed at Ellis Island stayed between three and five hours, about 20% stayed overnight in dormitory rooms until their cases could be cleared. Many immigrants found these accommodations a big improvement over the severe conditions of traveling to America in "steerage".