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The Immigration Station of Philadelphia’s Ellis Island: Pier 53 on Delaware River
October 27, 2020 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
$5 – $10
Hear the story of the immigrants who came to Pier 53 also known today as Washington Avenue Green, a public park by the Delaware River. The pier stands since 1873 when the Washington Avenue Immigration Station began its operations.
It was in 1873 that the Washington Avenue Immigration Station began its operations. Arriving immigrants first disembarked at Lazaretto Station at Essington for health inspection, then continued up the Delaware River by ship for another eight miles to Pier 53 in South Philadelphia, the final entry point.
Join Susan McAninley, our board member Gabriela Cesarino, and descendants of Philly immigrants share their perspectives, their journey.
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Gabriela Cesarino will present the history of the area: immigration in the US during the 18th Century, the plans and construction of the facility, the most active years until its demolition in 1915, what happened to the site until today, and the future plans.
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Susan McAninley has made it her business to find and preserve stories from the descendants of immigrants who came through Pier 53 in South Philadelphia at the turn of the 20th century. Susan will tell us about some of the immigrant stories that she has been collecting through the years. She will also give us an update on the Washington Avenue Green project.
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YOU…we would love to hear from the descendants of immigrants who came through Pier 53 in South Philadelphia! How, when, your ancestors arrived in Philadelphia?
If you would like to share your family’s story, please contact our Executive Director, Dilek Karabucak at geosocphil@gmail.com prior to the presentation.