Hungarian Heritage Review, 1988 (17. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1988-01-01 / 1. szám
;Neíos ^Nuggets NEW YORK, N.Y. — The final phase of fundraising and specific exhibit themes, including a new American Immigrant Wall of Honor on which forebears’ names can be inscribed, have been announced for the Ellis Island Museum. Restoration of Ellis Island and the 200,000 square foot historic Main Building is scheduled to be completed by 1989, when the Museum will open to the public. “The brick and mortar we are repairing and the historic artifacts being restored are merely symbols of our great immigrant heritage. The immigrant stories that will be told, the ethnic history of our country and the emotions felt here at Ellis Island are the real focal points of our effort,” said Stephen Briganti, president of The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, the organization responsible for the fundraising and overall construction and restoration of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island in cooperation with the United States Department of Interior National Park Service. Each exhibit will enliven a particular aspect of the immigration experience. Together, the exhibits will recreate the entire immigration process, the emotions and the thoughts of our ancestors as they began their new lives in America. Paul Knaplund, for example, arrived at Ellis Island in 1906 and describes his experiences in his memoirs. “At last. . .the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island were sighted. Expectancy and hope, admiration and awe were perhaps the prevailing emotions. Some shouted and talked excitedly, others just stared in silence.” Possibly the most personally gratifying display at the Ellis Island Museum will be The American Immigrant Wall of Honor. Located just off the Great Hall and adjacent to the historic Registry Room will be a unique area devoted to an exhibit of names of all national origins. It will be a collective display, representing the individual family heritages that created the history of America. With a contribution of $100 or more to fund the Museum and its exhibitry, donors can place a name of their choice on The American Immigrant Wall of Honor. It is the first opportunity to place the name of an immigrant ancestor or an individual’s family name on permanent public display at a national monument. Contributions of $1,000, $5,000 and $10,000 also will receive places of honor. The funds raised will be used to complete the Ellis Island project. “For many years, Ellis Island was abandoned, perhaps representing America’s utilitarian ways rather than a lack of pride in its heritage. But, once again, we have become interested, even proud of our ethnic roots and traditions, much like our greatgrandfathers,” noted Briganti. “This interest and enthusiam to learn more about our heritage and to honor it is really what Ellis Island is all about.” The Ellis Island restoration will cost $140 million — all being raised by private donations. To date, approximately 20 million Americans have contributed to the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, the organization responsible for the fundraising and overall construction and restoration of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. For participation in the program, write to the Rákóczi Foundation-International, Inc., P.O. Box 2203, Union, New Jersey 07083, or phone 201-964-8464. JANUARY 1988 HUNGARIAN HERITAGE REVIEW 7
