Ellis IslandDo you have a grandparent or great-grandparent from another country? If you do, they may have entered the United States via Ellis Island. Ellis Island was once a place where many people entered the United States so they could settle here with their families. Today, you can visit the Ellis Island Immigration Museum to see the path these people (and perhaps your ancestors) took to become American citizens. Ellis Island was an immigration station for millions of Americans who now have many ancestors here in America. Ellis Island was a very important tool for the growth and development of the United States and the culture of the people who live here. Ellis Island was once an immigration station for millions of people from countries like Italy, Germany, Ireland and many others. Today, it no longer accepts immigrants from all over the world as it once did. However, you can visit the Ellis Island Immigration Museum and see the same places where these people entered to become citizens of the United States ("Ellis Island"). On January 1, 1892, the Ellis Island Immigration Station opened for the first time to process new arrivals to America. Many people entered Ellis Island at this time. However, this influx of people did not last very long. The number of people entering Ellis Island declined significantly between 1911 and 1919, as World War I was about to break out and eventually took place. After the First World War, the flow of people stabilized, but again this did not last long. In 1932, the Great Depression began and more people left the country than entered. At that time, the buildings on Ellis Island were dilapidated and abandoned. Finally, in 1954, the buildings were closed for lack of paper and headed to America ("Ellis Island"). You can currently visit the Immigration Museum there to see artifacts, photos, and many other items left behind by immigrants (“Ellis Island Immigration”). Additionally, in the near future there are plans to add another branch to the museum that will include more information on today's immigration ("Ellis Island"). Works cited in Chinese, Vera and Marla Bahloul. "Ellis Island reopens a year after Sandy." New York Daily News. Np, and Web. April 16, 2014. “Ellis Island.” History.com. A&E Television Networks, and Web. . “Ellis Island Immigration Museum.” , New York. Np, and Web. April 16. 2014. .