OHNY: South Side of Ellis Island Tour

This past weekend was the 5th annual Open House New York, and among the more than 200 sites was special tours of the South Side of Ellis Island – otherwise off limits to the public, and of the recently restored Ferry Building.

While the main museum opened more than 15 years ago and the Ferry Building opened just this year, almost 30 other buildings are spread across Ellis Island. They are in varying states of deterioration, as stabilization and restoration efforts are moving slowly.

More than 12 million immigrants passed through Ellis Island from the time it opened at the end of the 19th century until its closure in 1954. Among the buildings on the South Side being restored are two massive hospitals, administration buildings and the home of the Island's chief administrator.

If you missed the OHNY tour, you can take a virtual tour of the South Side of Ellis Island here. Otherwise, here’s some photos from the tour: