AIISF's 2021 Year-End Review
We want to celebrate the people and moments that made 2021 a year to remember!
Former Angel Island detainee Calvin Ong visits the new Angel Island Immigration Museum with his family. June 2021
2021: By the Numbers
133,209
Website Visits
140
New DonorS
306,215
Twitter Views
108,862
Facebook Views
3,795
Instagram Views
500+
Event Guests
In October a new exhibit, Taken From Their Families: Japanese American Incarceration on Angel Island During World War II, opened in the Mess Hall.
Events and Highlights From 2021
Each year, we host free online programs and create virtual and in-person exhibitions that presents the history of Angel Island as well as inspiring stories of immigrants from around the world. Here are several of our favorite events, exhibits, and moments from 2021.
AIISF parters with Google Arts and Culture to create a new landing page featuring images and exhibits related to the Angel Island Immigration Station.
AIISF presented a special program addressing Asian American history earlier this year.
In May, AIISF hosted a virtual program with members of the Migration Museums Network to discuss Asian Pacific American history.
Past and present AIISF leaders attend a program at Stanford University to discuss Angel Island and its current day relevance.
AIISF takes a stand against anti-Asian xenophobia and racism by calling for Americans to #StopAAPIHATE
Huang Ruo and the Del Sol Quartet debut their new composition inside the detention barracks.
Author Chris Baron joined AIISF’s Author Spotlight in September, and read sections of his book The Magical Imperfect for program attendees.
In February, AIISF joined California State Parks and Save Ellis Island to discuss the hospitals of Angel Island and Ellis Island.
In August, Samuel D. Porteous joined AIISF to share information about the life of Ching Ling Foo: America’s First Chinese Superstar.
In February, former Angel Island immigrant Kala Bagai receives a street named after her in Berkeley.
In May and June, AIISF hosts its first two VIP In-Home Dining Experiences.
AIISF celebrates Women’s History Month in March.
AIISF board member and MSNBC journalist Richard Lui becomes the first guest for AIISF new event series to discuss his book Enough About Me: The Unexpected Power of Selflessness.
CyArk releases a new 3D tour of the Angel Island Immigration Station in partnership with AIISF and California State Parks.
The AIDS Memorial Quilt Virtual Exhibition is presented on the AIIM Virtual Exhibition page.
In January, AIISF releases an exhibit that discusses the hospitals at Angel Island and Ellis Island.
In October, Pornsak Pichetshote returns for AIISF’s Author Spotlight to discuss The Good Asian.
AIISF participates in an APA Heritage Month panel with the National Park Service and the White House’s Initiative on AAPIs.
In November, AIISF launched the Taken From Their Families Virtual Exhibition.
In June, AIISF hosts its first Facebook Live event with Pornsak Pichetshote.
AIISF’s June Author Spotlight featured Dr. Charles Egan, author of Voices of Angel Island: Inscriptions and Immigrant Poetry (1910-1945).
In October, AIISF celebrates the stories of Latinx heritage for Hispanic Heritage Month 2021.
AIISF presents stories of Chinese Immigration in February.
In January, the Angel Island Immigration Station celebrates Angel Island Day on the 111th anniversary of the station.
With anti-Asian attacks on the rise, the U.S. Immigration Station at Angel Island offers the public a way to understand our country’s troubling history of racism, exclusion, and xenophobia.
Angel Island in the News
In 2021, Angel Island appeared in 125+ articles focused on the site’s history and the work of the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation. Below, you can find some newsworthy stories from this year.
The Gee family visits Angel Island for a preview tour of the Angel Island Immigration Museum. August 2021.
Preview Tours of the Angel Island Immigration Museum
From June through October, AIISF hosted tours of Angel Island’s newest museum for donors who gave to the Virtual Gala in 2020. In total, 224 guests attended the preview tour of AIIM with Executive Director Ed Tepporn and Operations Manager Russell Nauman.
“[We] had such a great time with you on the tour. Trying to understand the history and put yourself in their shoes is hard to imagine. Feeling the building come alive is amazing. Thank you for sharing your development process and letting us see your work!”
The Angel Island Immigration Museum will be the second museum to open at the U.S. Immigration Station site on January 22, 2022.