A Message From AIISF’s Executive Director

Earlier this month, AIISF and Angel Island State Park hosted our annual Family Day event. Looking out across the sea of 750+ participants, I felt simultaneously energized and emotional to see so many people interacting with the site and with each other.

All of our performers were tremendous. LionDanceME dynamically kicked off our program. Kariktan Dance Company followed with several Filipino cultural dances and an invitation to participants to try tinikling (a folk dance that involves stepping between bamboo poles). eMotion Arts performers rounded out our program with a poignant piece inspired by Dreamers. And Lower Grand Radio helped keep the day flowing with their music.

Thank you to our event sponsors Panda CommUnity Fund; California Natural Resources Agency; and the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway, and Transportation District. A huge thanks to West Coast Events Group, consultant Gina Longmire, Angel Island Company, and all the volunteers who helped with the event. Thank you to our colleagues at Angel Island State Park – we truly could not have done it without all of your extra effort before, during, and after the event. Finally, a huge thank you to AIISF’s small-yet-mighty staff, especially Education Director Danielle Wetmore who took on the Herculean task of leading Family Day planning and coordination.

Family Day is a vital part of AIISF’s annual programming. It removes some of the financial and logistics barriers that often keep community members from visiting the site. It also provides an opportunity to spark intergenerational dialogue. We overhead several times the phrase “this is important for you to know” as families talked amongst each other.

One of my favorite memories from this year’s Family Day was seeing all the kids running around the site with their handmade “kites." This activity was inspired by the late Tyrus Wong who was detained on Angel Island as a child and would later achieve recognition for his animation and his handmade kites.

Finally, we are saying goodbye this month to Hannah Schoenberger who is leaving us to prep for and pursue a graduate degree. Hannah has been an amazing team member, flexing her skills and expertise beyond just basic office administration to also help with AIISF's social media channels, our Angel Island Mosaic exhibit, and our soon-to-be released virtual tour of the Taken From Their Families exhibit about Japanese American incarceration at Angel Island during World War II. Thank you and good luck, Hannah!

Wishing everyone a restful August,

Edward Tepporn
AIISF Executive Director

Join Our Team!

AIISF is looking for an talented, fun-loving, organized, detail-oriented team player to join us.

We currently have a job opening for a part-time Administrative Coordinator. Check out the job posting HERE.

To apply, please send your cover letter and resume to jobs@aiisf.org

AIISF Receives IMLS Grant!

Thank you to the Institute of Museum and Library Services for selecting Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation as one of 78 recipients of the 2024 Inspire! Grants for Small Museums.

This grant will help support updates and enhancements to the permanent exhibits in the Detention Barracks Museum as well as programs to encourage community members to share their personal and family immigration stories.

Upcoming Events

Gateways in Dialogue III: Health and Medicine

Wednesday, August 21 | 5:00 pm PST 8:00 pm EST | On Zoom

Join us on Zoom on August 21 for the third event in our ongoing collaborative series with the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation. This time we'll be discussing health and medicine at the Ellis Island and Angel Island immigration stations.

What kind of medical examinations did immigrants undergo? What were the hospitals like? What health conditions did the Public Health Service screen for and treat?

This event is free but pre-registration is required.

Del Sol Quartet on Angel Island

Saturday, September 14 | 11:30 am and 2:00 pm | Detention Barracks Museum on Angel Island

We are thrilled to welcome the Del Sol Quartet back to Angel Island on Saturday, September 14th! This performance will amplify the Jewish experience on Angel Island, featuring three pieces by Jewish composers: Derek David’s String Quartet no.4, “Kaddish”; Osvaldo Golijobv’s “Omaramor”; and Lev Zhurbin/Ljova’s “Meditation on Kol Nidrei.”

There will be two performances: one at 11:30 am and one at 2:30 pm.

The performance is free with $5 admission to the Detention Barracks Museum.

Community and Partner Events

Hungry Ghost Festival

Saturday, August 17 | 4pm - 9pm | San Francisco Chinatown

Look out for AIISF's table at CCCSF's 2nd Annual Hungry Ghost Festival!

The Hungry Ghost Festival (also known as Zhongyuan Festival or Yulan Festival) is a special celebration for the Chinese diaspora, observed with unique interpretations worldwide. Marking the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month, this festival signifies a time when the boundary between the living and spiritual realms blurs.

The theme for the 2nd Annual Hungry Ghost Festival in 2024 is “Downpour, Uproar!”, chasing the emotions and catharsis of rage and sorr

Del Sol Quartet's Sounds Current Podcast Series

How does a string quartet help build community from Chinese immigrant poetry carved into detention-center walls on Angel Island? Strip away layers of paint - and shame - and let their words sing out after 100 years of silence. Follow Del Sol’s journey with Huang Ruo’s ANGEL ISLAND Oratorio.

Fall Field Trip Scholarships

Calling all teachers!

Are you planning to take your class to the Angel Island Immigration Station this school year?

We offer funding to cover the cost of transportation and museum admission!

After reserving your tour with Angel Island State Park (bookings open August 15), apply for a scholarship online at aiisf.org/field-trips.

Scholarships are for public K-12 schools only, with priority given to Title I schools.