The landmark that welcomed immigrants to the United States is once again welcoming visitors one year after Hurricane Sandy forced it to close. NBC New York’s Brian Thompson has more from Ellis Island.
The island that ushered millions of immigrants into the United States is receiving visitors for the first time since Sandy.
The halls and buildings of the Ellis Island Immigration Museum reopened to the public Monday, almost exactly a year after the storm. Sandy swamped boilers and electrical systems and left the 27.5-acre island without power for months.
Visitors stepping off the first boat included Cathy Scheer, of Riverside, Calif.
Sheer says she's in awe. She started a business trip early so she could visit Ellis Island and the nearby Statue of Liberty.
More than 1 million photographs and other Ellis Island artifacts remain in storage while buildings are fixed and upgraded.
Liberty Island reopened on July 4. It was closed again during the partial federal government shutdown.
