Nursing Tour Inside Ellis Island's Abandoned Hospital

Highlights

  • Step inside a pivotal chapter in the history of American medicine and public health. The Ellis Island Hospital was at the forefront of early 20th-century healthcare, pioneering sanitation, ventilation, and quarantine practices that proved remarkably effective for their time.

  • Gain a deeper understanding of how immigrants were actually treated medically upon arrival. This experience dispels common myths, revealing a system designed to heal, protect, and give newcomers every possible chance to enter the United States.

  • Learn how Florence Nightingale’s revolutionary principles shaped the hospital’s design and operations, influencing nursing practice, hospital layout, and patient care standards still used today.

  • This tour resonates deeply with nurses, doctors, and healthcare professionals, while remaining accessible and fascinating for anyone interested in history, medicine, or the human stories behind Ellis Island.

Itinerary

9:30am — Arrival at Castle Clinton, Manhattan
Present your ferry tickets, enter the reserved line, and pass through airport-style security.
10:15am — Ferry to Ellis Island
Scenic 40-minute harbor crossing with iconic views. The ferry stops at Liberty Island first, then continues to Ellis Island. Guests remain on board at Liberty Island.
11:00am — Guided Tour Begins
Pick up your hard hat, leave the crowds behind, and enter the off-limits hospital buildings with your expert guide.
12:30pm — Guided Tour Ends
Guests can explore the National Immigration Museum with the self-guided audio tour included in their ticket, or return to Manhattan.
1:15pm — Ferry Return to Manhattan
Approx. 10-minute ride back to Castle Clinton. Ferries depart every 25 minutes until 3:30pm.

Why guests love this tour

“Very interesting and made me proud to be a nurse!”

“It is a fascinating part of American history, and history of medicine. Ellis Island was at the forefront of medical practices at that time and even though the sterilization, ventilation and quarantining practices were crude compare to our standards, they worked with just a 2% death rate. Without the Ellis Island tours we would forget how so many people became American immigrants.”

It gives insight into medicine’s past, and shows how one segment of public health developed. It dispels the myth that immigrants were treated poorly medically when they got to Ellis Island. In fact, they were given every opportunity to be allowed into the country. I am a dentist, but this would be interesting for all medical professionals.”

“I learned so much about the history of Ellis Island and the medical staff.”

What's included

More about this tour:

This is an exclusive nursing tour offered in partnership with Save Ellis Island and dedicated to better understanding the health care of immigrants. This is a truly unique opportunity for anyone working in or interested in the medical field.

Immerse yourself in a unique experience as we explore the historic grounds of Ellis Island, where countless immigrants began their journey to a new life in America. This tour focuses on the critical role of the healthcare professionals. You will connect with the rich history and stories that echo through the wards of the iconic Ellis Island hospital complex..

This exclusive tour is led by one of Save Ellis Island’s veteran guides, Denise Giachetta- Ryan. Denise is a former CUNY professor and Chair of the Department of Nursing. She has also served as Assistant Vice President of Perioperative Services at two New York City hospitals.

Any Questions? We're here to help!

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