Immigration refers to the movement of people into a country or region in order to settle there. National and state parks have a rich history of immigration, and the National Park Service (NPS) and state park agencies have a mission to preserve, protect, and interpret these historical resources.
Many national and state parks have significant connections to the history of immigration to the United States. For example, Ellis Island National Monument and Statue of Liberty National Monument in New York, tell the story of the millions of immigrants who passed through these ports of entry in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Similarly, the Angel Island Immigration Station in California tells the story of the immigrants, particularly Asian immigrants, who were processed at the station during the early 20th century.
Additionally, many national and state parks have connections to the history of specific immigrant groups, such as the history of the Chinese immigrants in California or the history of the Italian immigrants in the United States. These parks provide opportunities to learn about the experiences of these immigrants, their contributions to the United States, and the challenges they faced.
The NPS and state park agencies have a responsibility to protect and preserve these cultural resources, and to provide opportunities for visitors to learn about and experience the history of immigration in the United States. This can include ranger-led tours, educational programs, and interpretive exhibits.
Overall, immigration is an important part of the history of the United States and national and state parks play an important role in preserving, protecting, and interpreting these resources for future generations.
