NEH Ellis Island Workshop

Ellis Island, Public Health

and the American
Workforce, 1891-1924
NEH Landmarks in
American History and
Culture Workshop
Convened by the Ellis
Island Institute, a program
Sunday, July 19
of Save Ellis Island
1pm-5pm: Check-in at Pace
University housing.
Agenda

July 19-24, 2009 PACE Univ.

Monday July 20th
Monday, July 20
7:30am: Depart Pace University for Battery Park ferry terminal.
8:00am: Security check and board ferry.
9:10am: Arrive on Ellis Island. Light breakfast provided in Cafe.

IMMIGRANTS ON ELLIS ISLAND: PUBLIC HEALTH

Welcome from David Luchsinger, Superintendent of the Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis
Island Immigration Museum.
10:00-10:30am: Movie, “Forgotten Ellis Island: The Extraordinary Story of America’s Immigrant
Hospital”
10:45- 11:30am: Alan Kraut, PhD, "Germs, Genes and the Immigrant Menace." Dr. Kraut will provide
an overview on the origins of health inspection, and the role of public health, as criteria for
admission to America during the Ellis Island years.
11:30am-12pm: Q & A with Dr. Kraut
12:00-1:00pm: Lunch provided

ELLIS ISLAND’S SOUTH SIDE- PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE HOSPITAL ARCHITECTURE

1:00-1:30pm: Jeanne Kisacky, PhD, Overview of medical theory’s influence on hospital architecture,
in preparation for tour of the Ellis Island pavilion-style hospitals.
1:30-3:00pm: Group 1, Tour of un-restored hospital buildings with Dr. Kisacky.
•
•
Monday July 20th
RESOURCES FOR TEACHING IMMIGRATION
 
1:30-2:45pm:  Group 2, Tour of the exhibit, “Future in the
Balance: Immigration, Public Health and the Ellis Island
Hospitals” and finding meaning in artifacts and documents – an
inquiry based experience about immigration, with SEI staff.
2:45-3:00 pm:  Break
3:00-4:30 pm:  Group 2, Tour of un-restored hospital buildings with
Dr. Kisacky.
3:00-3:15 pm:  Group 1 break
 
 
3:15-4:30pm:  Group 1, Tour of the exhibit, “Future in the
Balance: Immigration, Public Health and the Ellis Island
Hospitals” and finding meaning in artifacts and documents – an
inquiry based experience about immigration, with SEI staff.
4:30-5:00pm:  Practical applications as shown by classroom
teachers:  Barbara DeSantis and Mrs. Stewart’s class project.
5:00pm:  Board Ferry for New York.
Free evening in New York
Tuesday July 21st
Tuesday, July 21
7:30am: Depart Pace University for Battery Park ferry terminal. 
8:00am: Security check and board ferry.
9:10am:  Arrive on Ellis Island.  Breakfast provided in Cafe.
 
ELLIS ISLAND’S IMMIGRATION MUSEUM
10:00-11:00am:  Exploration or audio tour of Immigration Museum
11:00am-12:30pm: Board of Special Inquiry presentation
12:30-1:30pm: Lunch provided
 
IMMIGRATION AND THE AMERICAN WORKFORCE
1:30-2:15pm:  Amy Fairchild, PhD, "Immigrant Health Inspection and the
American Workforce."  Dr. Fairchild will present her research on the role
of the immigrant health inspection process on the development of a
regimented workforce in the early 20th century.
2:15-3:00 pm: Daniel Walkowitz, PhD, “Immigrants and the American Labor in
the Early Twentieth Century.” Dr. Walkowitz will discuss the role of early
twentieth century immigrants within the context of America’s industrial
economy during that period.
3:00-3:30 pm:  Q & A with Dr. Fairchild and Dr. Walkowitz
3:30- 3:45pm:  Break
3:45-4:15pm:  Practical applications as shown by classroom teachers:  Joan
Barron and Katherine Sullivan   
4:15-5:00 pm: Integrating primary sources and new topics/themes into your
project.                                
Optional Evening activity: TBD
Wednesday July 22nd
Wednesday, July 22
IMMIGRANTS LIVING IN AMERICA
 Breakfast on your own
9:00 am:  Depart for Lower East Side Tenement Museum
10:00am-12:00pm: Lower East Side Tenement Museum,
program and walking tour. 
12:00-3:30 pm: Lunch on your own/free time to explore local
options (suggestions will be provided).
3:30-4:30 pm:  Museum at Eldridge Street, program
Free evening in New York
Thursday July 23rd
• Your
Thursday, Subtopics
July 23 Go Here
7:30am: Depart Pace University for Battery Park ferry
terminal.
8:00am: Security check and board ferry.
9:10am: Arrive on Ellis Island. Breakfast provided in
Customs Room.
10:00-10:30am: Linking Wednesday’s site visits and
tours

THE CHANGING FACE OF IMMIGRATION: EFFECT

OF IMMIGRATION LEGISLATION
10:30am -11:30 pm: Role-playing Activity facilitated by
Jessica Cameron-Bush, SEI staff. The activity focuses on
the 1924 immigration legislation, which established the
quota system that regulated the number of immigrants
from any country based on a percentage of immigrants
from that country already residing in the U. S.
Participants will debate the issues, and attempt to come
to a resolution around the legislation.
11:30 am- 12:00 pm: discussion
12:00-1:00 pm: Lunch provided
Thursday July 23rd
• Your
Thursday, Subtopics
July 23 Go Here
1:00-1:30pm:   Practical applications
as shown by classroom teachers: 
Beth Topinka and Cindy Jenkins.

1:30-2:00 pm:  Break into affinity

groups. 

2:00 pm – 4:30 pm: Teachers work on

projects, with access to resources. 
Master teacher and SEI staff available
for consultation.

4:30 pm– Return to NY via ferry

Free evening in New York.
Friday July 25th
Friday, July 24
7:30am: Depart Pace University for Battery Park
ferry terminal. 
8:00am: Security check and board ferry.
9:10am:  Arrive on Ellis Island. Light breakfast
provided in Customs Room.
 
TODAYS CHANGING FACE OF IMMIGRATION: 
EFFECT OF IMMIGRATION
IN THE CLASSROOM
9:45-11:00 am:  Margary Martin, PhD candidate, Ms.
Martin will present an overview of recent
research on current immigrant students and how
they learn and acclimate to today’s classrooms.
11:00-11:30:  Practical applications as shown by
classroom teachers: Patricia Leslie. 
11:30-12:30pm:  Affinity groups share.
12:30-1:30 pm:  Lunch provided.
1:30-2:00 pm:  Groups report.
2:00-2:30pm:  Certificate and stipend distribution.
Evaluations. Closing remarks.

ASAP– Leave for JFK airport