Races, Immigration: United States. New York. New York City. Immigrant Station: Regulation of Immigration at the Port of Entry. United States Immigrant Station, New York City: Aliens landing from barges at Ellis Island Station. c. 1903

Editor: So, this is J.H. Adams's photo of Ellis Island, titled "Races, Immigration," showing immigrants arriving. The sepia tone gives it a somewhat detached, historical feel. What strikes you about this image? Curator: The sheer logistics are what get me. Look at the means of transporting and processing these people, the barges, the station itself. It speaks volumes about the industrialization of immigration and the commodification of labor. Editor: Commodification of labor? Curator: Absolutely. These people were resources, fueling the American economy. The photograph captures a system, a process of intake and sorting, reducing individuals to units of labor. It makes you wonder about the human cost behind that industrial facade. Editor: That’s a very sobering thought. It definitely changes how I view the image. Thanks!