AIISF’s Mission, Vision, and Values
Mission
For all immigrants, descendants, and families, Angel Island is a living landmark that symbolizes diverse experiences of detention, racism, exclusion, hope, and determination. The Foundation protects the historic site, elevates its stories, promotes learning, and celebrates the new beginnings and immigrant contributions that define the strength of the US. We inspire a more equitable and inclusive future; one that embodies how immigrants make nations better.
Vision
AIISF is committed to a future in which all persons across the US understand the history of immigration through Angel Island; leverage this knowledge by treating immigrants with increased respect and empathy; and are committed to increasing equity, justice, and belonging for all communities.
Values
AIISF creates community, belonging, and inclusion in our workplace, events, programs, and exhibits. We ensure that our interactions are grounded in integrity, respect, and collaboration. We promote learning – particularly about the nation’s complex history of racism and exclusion – while also celebrating the strength, resiliencies, and contributions that immigrants have made and continue to make to the US.
History of the Foundation
From 1910 to 1940, Angel Island was the site of an US Immigration Station that functioned as the West Coast equivalent of Ellis Island, although the Angel Island facility also enforced policies designed to exclude many Pacific Coast immigrants coming from eighty countries.
In 1970, the site was slated for demolition because of its deteriorated condition; but the discovery of Chinese poetry that had been carved into the walls of the detention barracks saved it from destruction and led to renewed interest in the Angel Island Immigration Station. Most importantly, the discovery of poetry increased awareness of the need to access the vivid lessons of sacrifice and triumph in the history of immigration.
Sparked by the discovery, Paul Chow, a civil engineer with the California Department of Transportation, formed the Angel Island Immigration Station Historical Advisory Committee (AIISHAC) to save the site and its poetry, recover the history of Chinese detainees, and lobby for state support. In July 1976, AIISHAC’s hard work came to fruition as the state legislature appropriated $250,000 to restore the Immigration Station as a state monument.
The barracks opened to the public in 1983, and members of AIISHAC created the Immigration Station Foundation to continue preservation and educational efforts for the site, and to increase awareness of the contributions Pacific Coast immigrants make.
AIISF has provided vital financial support for the Immigration Station, serving as the non-profit fundraising partner for the site. Since 1994, AIISF has leveraged $40 million to develop the cultural and physical landscape of the site. Foundation members preserved the poems on the barracks walls and created a collection of oral histories from those who had come through the Station and their descendants.
Milestones and Accomplishments
1970
State Parks Ranger Alexander Weiss re-discovers carvings and poetry in the barracks. He reaches out to San Francisco’s Asian American community to help save the building.
1971
In 1970, Angel Island is registered as a California Historical Landmark. A year later, it is placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
1974
State legislature passes H.R. 205, establishing the China Cove Historical Advisory Citizen’s Committee. The name is later changed to the Angel Island Immigration Station Historical Advisory Committee (AIISHAC).
1976
AIISHAC submits an interpretive plan for the future use of the detention barracks as a museum. $250,000 is appropriated by the state legislature to restore and preserve the detention barracks.
1979
An eight-foot 6,000-pound granite monument dedicated to immigrant detainees is donated and installed on Angel Island by restauranteur Victor “Trader Vic” Bergeron.
1981
Restoration work on the barracks is finished. Partial repairs are made on the hospital building.
1983
The Immigration Station Foundation (ISF) is founded to be the official community steward of the site. The first floor of the barracks is reopened to the public as the Immigration Station Museum.
1986
A naturalization ceremony is held on the immigration station site for 107 new American citizens.
1994
The Immigration Station Foundation officially changed its name to the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation. The Foundation’s site preservation report was approved by California State Parks.
1995
The traveling exhibit Gateway to the Gold Mountain was completed and launched.
1997
The Angel Island Immigration Station was awarded National Historic Landmark status by the National Register of Historic Places.
1998
California State Parks received $400,000 from a state measure for site planning studies.
1999
The National Trust for Historic Preservation identified the Angel Island Immigration Station as one of America’s eleven Most Endangered Historic Places as part of the Save America’s Treasures Program.
2000
California voters approved a state bond measure of $15 million for the Immigration Station for the site rehabilitation.
2001
Funding in the amount of $1 million was received from the Save America’s Treasures program for preserving poetry and other inscriptions on the walls of the barracks.
2002
Launch of Rehabilitation Project Phase I for historical and feasibility studies.
2003
Rehabilitation Project Phase I continued – including design of the infrastructure, exterior grounds and the barracks.
2005
The Angel Island Immigration Station Hospital Preservation and Restoration Act was signed by President Bush, authorizing up to $15 million for rehabilitation of the Hospital (Project Phase II).
2007
A grant of $3.6 million was received from the California Cultural and Historical Endowment (CCHE) for the renovation and preservation of the Hospital and interpretive exhibits in the Barracks.
2008
$3.35 million in federal appropriations were secured for the stabilization and rehabilitation of the Public Health Service Hospital.
2009
The rehabilitated Immigration Station barracks and grounds were reopened after completing a $15 million restoration. Over 1,500 people attend the ceremony. California state funding for the museum exhibits was received and construction began.
2010
President Barack Obama issued a proclamation declaring January 21, 2010 as National Angel Island Day to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Immigration Station’s opening.
2010
The Immigrant Voices Initiative was launched to create a robust and active online center of Pacific immigrant stories. An annual ceremony, the Immigrant Heritage Awards, was established to recognize prominent immigrant Americans.
2011
Phase I of the Immigrant Heritage Wall project, a memorial consisted of over 300 plaques honoring immigrant ancestors, was designed, constructed and dedicated.
2012
Phase II of the Immigrant Heritage Wall Project was completed and dedicated. Planning for the rehabilitation of the Hospital is completed.
2013
The 5-year construction project for the rehabilitation of the Hospital began.
2017
A grant of $2.952 million was secured for the construction of the Angel Island Immigration Museum, a place to preserve and showcase the diverse stories of immigrants from the Pacific.
2018
AIISF launched a scholarship program to provide local, underprivileged students the opportunity to visit the Immigration Station and learn more about immigration history.
2019
Rehabilitation work on the hospital is completed. Exhibit design for the Angel Island Immigration Museum begins.
2020
The Angel Island Immigration Museum exhibits are installed. AIISF launches new virtual exhibits online: Voices of Resilience, Tastes of Home, and AIIM Virtual Exhibition.
2021
Taken From Their Families exhibit is installed in the WWII Mess Hall. AIISF received a $1 million grant for the Angel Island Immigration Museum and improvements at the site.
2022
AIIM opens to the public. AIISF begins hosting temporary exhibits on Angel Island. AIIM was a recipient of the 2022 Governor’s Historic Preservation Award.