Don’t Miss These Ellis Island Objects

Short on time? Use this hit list to see the most resonant objects fast — then let curiosity pull you deeper.

Top Artifacts

1. Trunk with destination tag — a life in a box.
2. Inspection chalk symbols — the alphabet of uncertainty.
3. Oral history listening stations — voices across time.
4. City maps with immigrant neighborhoods — where journeys landed.
5. Tickets and ship menus — the mundane made meaningful.

Kid tip: Find, read, explain in 2 sentences. Repeat.