Ellis IslandDo you have a grandparent or great-grandparent from another country? If you do, they may have entered the United States through Ellis Island. Ellis Island was a place where many people entered the United States so they could settle here with their families. Today you can visit the Ellis Island Immigration Museum to see the path those people (and perhaps your ancestors) took to become American citizens. Ellis Island was an immigration station for millions of Americans who now have many ancestors here in America. Ellis Island has been a very important tool in the growth and development of the United States and the culture of the people who live here. Ellis Island was an immigration station for millions of people from countries such as Italy, Germany, Ireland and many others. Today it no longer accepts immigrants from all over the world as it used to. However, you can visit the immigration museum at Ellis Island and see the same places where people entered to become citizens of the United States ("Ellis Island"). On January 1, 1892, the Ellis Island immigration station opened for the first time to process new arrivals to America. Many people entered Ellis Island during that time. However, this influx of people did not last long. The number of people entering Ellis Island dropped dramatically from about 1911 to 1919, when World War I was about to be fought and eventually was fought. After the First World War the flow of people consolidated, but again it did not last long. In 1932 the Great Depression hit and more people left the country than entered. At the time, the buildings on Ellis Island were dilapidated and abandoned. Finally, in 1954, the buildings were closed due to lack of... half of paper......and in America ("Ellis Island"). Currently you can visit the immigration museum located there to see artifacts, photos and many other items left by immigrants ("Ellis Island Immigration"). Also, in the near future, there are plans to add another section to the museum that will contain more information about immigration today ("Ellis Island"). Works Cited Chinese, Vera and Marla Bahloul. “Ellis Island reopens a year after Sandy.” New York Daily News. Np, nd Web. April 16, 2014. “Ellis Island.” History.com. A&E and Web television networks. ."Ellis Island Immigration Museum." , New York City. Np, nd Web. April 16. 2014. .