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Ellis Island is the symbol of America’s immigrant heritage. From 1892 to 1954, it was the arrival point for over 12 million people fleeing religious persecution, poverty, or unrest in their homelands. Their descendants, more than 100 million people, comprise almost 40 percent of today’s population. First and second class passengers were processed for immigration on board ship, but the poor traveling in steerage class were ferried to the crowded island for medical and legal examinations. It was a frightening prospect after an exhausting journey to a land where few newcomers could speak the language. As many as 5,000 passed through in a day. The museum not only retraces their experience here, but is a picture of the total immigrant experience in America.

Although federal property, a long-fought battle over territorial jurisdiction of Ellis Island was settled in 1998. Originally a 3- acre site, Ellis Island’s landmass was increased in the 1900s with landfill to more than nine times its original size, to over 27 acres. A US Supreme Court ruling decided the added landfill to be within the territory of New Jersey, and the original portion to be in New York. New Jersey officials launched a restoration program that includes saving the derelict hospital buildings.

The island’s cafeteria and picnic areas are great for lunch or snacks. Catch an early ferry from Battery Park to avoid crowds on the island. Stop at the museum information desk for tickets to the free 30-minute film “Island of Hope, Island of Tears.” Ferry rides to Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island: adults $10, seniors $8, children (4–12) $4, children under 4 free. It is open at 8:30am–5:15pm daily, and it is free.

When you are in holiday time, you can go to Rijksmuseum. In this museum, there are many beautiful and interesting works. Some of them are:

St Elizabeth’s Day Flood

Look carefully at this pastoral scene, highlight of the museum’s Dutch History collection, and you will see that a tragedy is unfolding. Painted by an unknown artist in 1500, it recalls a disastrous flood of 1421, when some 20 villages were swept away by floodwater.

The Night Watch

The museum’s most prized possession is The Military Company of Captain Frans Banning Cocq – otherwise known as The Night Watch (1642), given pride of place at the head of the Gallery of Honour.

The Jewish Bride

In creating one of the tenderest double portraits ever painted (1667), Rembrandt depicted – in an unusually free style – an unknown couple in the guise of biblical characters Isaac and Rebecca.

The Milkmaid

The sense of realism in this magical painting by Vermeer (c.1658) is conveyed by his mastery of light, color and perspective. Seen slightly from below against a bare wall, the simple, sturdy girl seems almost tangible – quiet and still, but for the milk flowing from her jug.

Gallant Conversation

In the 17th century, paintings of everyday scenes, called genre paintings, became very popular. In this one, by Gerard Ter Borch (1655), a scruffy dog, a candle and a bed convey sexual meaning, and the man appears to hold up a coin.

The Windmill at Wijk

In this impressive painting (1670) by Jacob van Ruisdael, a calm scene becomes a dramatic picture, full of excitement.

Winter Landscape with Skaters

Dutch landscape artist Hendrick Avercamp specialized in winter scenes packed with delightful detail, such as this one painted in 1608. The longer you gaze at it, the more you notice.

Delftware

The Rijksmuseum has a superb collection of Delftware, including an astonishing pyramid vase (c. 1700) more than 1 m (3.2 ft) high, with spouts for displaying highly-prized tulips.

Dolls House of Petronella Oortman

An exquisitely detailed 17th-century miniature Dutch house, belonging not to a child but an adult.

Portrait of Woman in Turkish Costume

Swiss-born Jean-Etienne Liotard was a portrait artist who used pastels with great skill. After a spell living in Istanbul, he dressed as a Turk, and he liked to array his sitters in Turkish costume as well – as in this subtle and delicate painting of 1745.