An Analysis Of Establishment Of The American Ellis Island National Museum Of Immigration

Ellis Island,located in the New York Harbor,was an immigration station for the United States to welcome European immigrants from the end of the 19 th century to shortly after the end of World War II.This function has not changed,when it served as a U.S.hospital and imprison expelled foreigners during the two World Wars.However,with the changes of the international transportation mode to the United States after World War II,the airports in cities have become the ports of entry for immigrants from various countries,which makes Ellis Island lose its function as a port of entry for immigrants and become a historical monument.As a gateway to America for immigrants in history,especially European immigrants,its future fate is uncertain for a long time.Since the 1950 s,there have been many debates in various circles of American society around the development of Ellis Island and its future social functions.The participants include not only the Department of the Interior and many institutions of Congress,but also private enterprises and non-profit organizations,and state governments such as New York and New Jersey.In particular,the issue of what historical and social meaning Ellis Island should be given as the future National Immigration Museum of the United States-immigrant culture,civic education,patriotic consciousness,and values education etc.,has become a topic of long-term debate in society and government.At the same time,the successive U.S.government has not given due attention to Ellis Island because of the its relatively low potential political value.Therefore,it was used as the National Immigration Museum’s construction plan,program,and congressional appropriation,as well as the relationship between architecture and culture,it has been procrastinated again and again,without a decision.Behind many disputes,the historical significance of Ellis Island has become more and more significant.Compared with Angel Island,which once held Chinese and Asian immigrants on the west coast,Ellis Island finally established a plan to establish an immigration museum.In the process of establishment,from the fundraising of the“foundation” to the establishment of “the American Immigrant Wall of honor”,this historical site was recently turned into the “new Plymouth Stone”-the spiritual symbol of the United States,and through the audience visits to condense the public consciousness of “national unity”.The establishment of the Ellis Island Immigration Museum is the United States seeking social consensus among multi-ethnic groups.As the National Immigration Museum of the United States,Ellis Island has become a“global public stage” today.Many politicians are here to deliver speeches on historical heritage,immigration control and diplomatic policies.In the narrative discourse of Ellis Island,it transcends its physical state,from the self of “thing” to the image of “dream”.It proclaims the glorious “American Dream” and the American ideas of “freedom” and“opportunity”,shaping the “beacon of freedom” and “the myth of the American dream”,with the intention of arousing the solidarity and patriotism of millions of Americans.This move is clearly an expression of “American exceptionalism”,emphasizing the uniqueness of America’s own historical development.The Ellis Island Immigration Museum’s shaping of the myth of “a nation of immigrants” is an act of covering up the historical truth,the construction of a national image,and a product of the game between national dream and reality.