Today, I came across an interesting way that Americans can support the work of the Statue of Liberty – Ellis Island Foundation while at the same time making their family a part of an interactive exhibit that will eventually appear both in person at Ellis Island and online. The Flag of Faces is a part of an expansion project at Ellis Island called “The Peopling of America Center”. The goal of the Statue of Liberty – Ellis Island Foundation in adding the Center to the existing Ellis Island Immigration Museum is to preserve the history of the American Experience, an experience that extends far beyond the points of entry that our ancestors passed through on their journey into America.
In exchange for a tax-deductible contribution of fifty dollars, you can ad a photo of yourself, your family, or a loved one to the Flag. There is no deadline for submission, new faces are added to the Flag of Faces as they are submitted. If you are curious about whether someone in your family is already on the Flag of Faces, there is a link on the Foundation’s web site that you can use to search a list of names of the people whose photos appear on the Flag.
One of the fascinating things about the Peopling of America Center, which is supposed to open some time this year, is that it encompasses the stories of all who immigrated to America throughout time. While visiting Ellis Island is educational for all who visit and holds special meaning for those whose ancestors passed through there, the Peopling of America Center is dedicated to all people who came to America by whatever means, at whatever time, and through whichever place. The exhibits will share stories from long ago as well as from more recent times because immigration continues to shape America and new families are making this country their home every day. I could not find a date for when the Center should be opening, but it does look like a very interesting place to visit.
Photo by imelenchon on morguefile.com.