The summer’s big trip this year was spent in New York City. First, I attended the Romance Writers of America (RWA) national conference. I got to spend quality time with my closest writer friends, celebrated my birthday, learned tons of information, and celebrated the best in romance fiction.
Then my parents flew up and we got to spend a few extra days in the city. We did the tourist thing on one of those big double-decker buses and saw more of the city than I have before. I marveled at the architecture. (The buildings are one of my favorite things about New York. We have NOTHING like them in Miami.) We toured The Met Museum where I went ga-ga over the room of Impressionist paintings by Monet and Rembrandt, most of which I’d only ever seen in books. Plus, a super cool exhibit celebrating the history of rock & roll, with guitars that were owned by some of the best rock musicians of all times like Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix.
However, the highlight was a visit to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. I’ve been to New York four times, but this was the first time I actually made it. We did a guided tour so we had someone explaining more of the history of both places for our small group. I’ve always been fascinated by the history of Ellis Island especially. This processing center welcomed 12 million immigrants from 1892 – 1954. Our guide told us that about 40% of Americans today had ancestors who came through Ellis Island. The photos below show Ellis Island as it was when the processing center was being used vs. today.
The bravery of those men and women can’t be understated. And once they got to the mainland, things certainly did not get any easier. On our tours, we saw neighborhoods where many of the families settled, the former tenement buildings that housed multiple families, sometimes in a single apartment.
What an inspiring trip and a chance to check off two items on my bucket list.
(I’m curious. Can any of you trace relatives through Ellis Island???)
Kristin Wallace is the USA Today Best Selling Author of inspirational and sweet contemporary romance filled with “Love, Laughter and a Leap of Faith”. Her latest book, SECOND CHANCE HERO, is available now.
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Kristin,
ReplyDeleteNew York City is one of my favorite places! Sounds like you did a lot of sightseeing, and also had a great time at RWA. How fun that your parents were able to join you too.
Kristin, thank you for sharing about your trip. I'm sorry I didn't make it to RWA this year. Would have loved to see you again!
ReplyDeleteYes, my paternal grandparents and baby uncle, along with a great aunt and uncle all came to the US through Ellis Island in the early 1900s.
ReplyDeleteFun post, Kristin! All my relatives came through Ellis Island. I don't live in NYC anymore but it was my home for many years and I still love it!
ReplyDeleteYes, I had some relatives that came through Ellis Island from Ireland.
ReplyDeleteMargaret
New York is on my bucket list.
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried to trace relatives through Ellis Island, but I can trace relatives from both my dad's and mom's family to the Mayflower.
Kristin, I wish I'd known you were there. For some reason I ran into hardly anyone I knew at RWA this year. It was very strange. My paternal grandparents and a couple of aunts and uncles came through Ellis Island.
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