WBGO Blog

  • A TRIP TO LOST JERSEY AND ELLIS ISLAND'S FORGOTTEN SIDE

    July 31, 2008. Posted by Andrew Meyer.

    Add new comment | Filed under: Ellis Island, hospital, immigration, News, Places and Spaces, Real Life Stories

     When you hop on the ferry to visit Ellis Island, you get a taste of America's immigrant roots. 

     Ellis Island Main Building

    However, only a fraction of the island is open to the public. 

     Ellis Island hospital complex

    The vast hospital complex which covers the south side of Ellis Island has been abandonned for about 50 years and is off-limits to the public, but that's going to be changing. 

    connecting hallway

    Efforts are underway to stabilize and restore these buildings. 

    After an initial trip with a group of Jersey lawmakers six years ago, I had a chance to go back recently to check on the progress that's been made in preserving not only the buildings but the history that goes with them. What I found can be heard in the next feature in WBGO News' Lost Jersey series, which airs on our next WBGO Journal, Friday, August 1 at 7:30pm.

    Andrew Meyer

    © 2008 WBGO