Ellis Island's History and Reality Spotlighted at Barron Arts Center

Situated between New York and New Jersey, Ellis Island is the iconic former landing point for millions of immigrants seeking a new life in America. Yet even with the island in New Jersey waters off Jersey City, many state residents have never visited the site and are unaware of its rich heritage. In light of this, the Barron Arts Center hosted a screening and discussion of the film, "Ellis Island: Island of Hope, Island of Tears," earlier this week. 

Not even a third of the 50 or so Woodbridge area residents who attended the event admitted to ever having visited the site. The group, mostly senior citizens, gathered at the Barron Arts Center to explore the wonders of Ellis Island in the form of film and dialogue.

Anabela Tortorell, a National Park Service Ranger for Ellis Island, led a brief but insightful lecture prior to the screening of the film. In it, she explained her background as a ranger at the site and how she is heavily vested in the happenings of the historic location.  “I love doing my job. You meet a lot of interesting people,” Tortorell said.

The film was indeed both an island of hope and tears because that was the reality for millions of travelers. While the island proved a refuge for an estimated 12 million people between 1892 and 1954 fleeing political, economic or social unrest, two percent of those immigrants were deported.

The majority of people fled their native lands for the hope of a better life and to avoid religious persecution, the film documented and Tortorell explained. In order to stay in America, the passengers had to pass a series of medical examinations. Unfortunately for some of these passengers, it would be their first time receiving medical attention, thus contributing to the deportation percentage.

“America did not want the burden of an unhealthy immigrant,“ the film revealed. Tortorell went on to add, “Some people were turned away simply for the way they looked. If the inspector didn’t like something about you, they would deny you.”

The film was as humbling as it was enlightening. It gave a voice to the many who people came to America with only the clothes on their backs and dreams in their hearts. The film depicted a series of photographs and other images of passengers, accompanied by real life voice-overs of actual people who landed at Ellis Island.

“I could really empathize with those people in the film. Their eyes appear so vacant in the images,” said Woodbridge resident Laurie Jordan, an observation that spoke to the desperation of many passengers. Other audience members said they had hoped to see more of the vicinity that makes up Ellis Island, to which Tortorell responded, “I always tell people this film is merely an appetizer. It entices you to actually visit Ellis Island.”

Tortorell said restoration efforts are in place at Ellis Island in order to make more of the grounds and buildings available to spectators. In order to preserve its authenticity, some rooms are off limits altogether. There is an ancestral search available for free online for those interested in investigating their family's roots.

“If you ever have the opportunity to visit Ellis Island, you should. Go early and spend the day there," Tortorell said, 

There has long been a debate on which state owns bragging rights to Ellis Island. Regardless of who claims it, Ellis Island - situated between Liberty State Park and New York City - still provides a historic and beautiful destination and a great day trip for area residents.