- Category
- History, Excursions
- Duration
- 5 hours
- Location
- New York
- Connect the dots between cultures, communities, and continents as you examine the history of immigration in America
- Led by a historian
- The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
Icons of American liberty and freedom, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island have long been a mainstay of the New York skyline and its history. Stretching back to the Dutch colonial settlement in the early seventeenth century, Ellis Island became a place known for both heartache and joy, processing over 12 million immigrants to the United States from 1892 to 1954, with Liberty Island standing as a beacon of hope for many of these immigrants. On this Statue of Liberty Tour visiting Ellis Island and Battery Park in the company of an art historian or preservationist, we’ll visit both islands to understand how the American ideal of freedom has changed over the years, and how immigration and cultural exchange have profoundly impacted the entire country.
Statue of Liberty Tour
The Statue of Liberty
Onto Ellis Island
Take Aways
FAQ
The Statue of Liberty does not allow selfie sticks, large bags, large bottles of water, tripods, and other large objects.
There is an airport-style security screening involving metal detectors, long lines and occasional questioning as a part of access to the Statue of Liberty. Clients with mobility issues may be eligible for an expedited security process.
Yes, the main pedestal area and museum are accessible to visitors with limited mobility.
Ben Rubin holds a bachelor's degree from Hanover College, a Master's from Western Carolina University, and is completing his Ph.D. at Drew University. He is also a graduate of the Cornell School of Criticism and Theory at Cornell University. His work has been published in the Journal of Backcountry Studies and in Southern Campaigns of the American Revolution. In addition to academic experience, Ben worked as a docent at the Biltmore House in Asheville, and as a whitewater raft guide on the Nantahala River.
Mandy's passion for the environment, its health and history, and how humans interact with it, stems from her childhood spending time at Mammoth Cave National Park. She went on to study Anthropology, Archaeology, Geosciences, and Urban Restoration at the University of Cincinnati and New Jersey City University. After graduation she began seasonal work at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island NM as a Park Ranger for the National Park Service for two consecutive seasons where she conducted extensive historical research and gave tours daily. This led to working for the non-profit Save Ellis Island giving and developing public tours for the abandoned hospital complex on Ellis Island. Most recently she spent the 2016 season as a Park Ranger at Governors Island National Monument and will be there again in the coming 2017 season. She has spent countless hours volunteering with Liberty State Park, NY/NJ Baykeeper, and the National Park Service. Focusing most of her attention on New York Harbor. She is currently a member on the board of directors of The Friends of Liberty State Park, and volunteer with Breezy Point Historical Society.
Mitch holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in History and Philosophy from the University of Paris, Sorbonne. His passion for urban history began during his 7 years in Paris, where he worked in his spare time as a city guide and teacher of history and philosophy. His scholarly work has focused on theories of truth as they express themselves in art, literature and theology. Since moving to New York City 12 years ago, he has authored four books on east coast cities, and actively pursues his side-passions for composing classical music (he recently premiered his second opera), and photography (his work has appeared in the New York Times, The New Yorker and Time, amongst other
Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.