A Message From AIISF’s Executive Director

In challenging and uncertain times, how do we tap into our inner resilience? What makes us feel connected? What fuels our hopes?

For many of us, the holidays truly provide an opportunity to connect and reflect. I spent Thanksgiving Day with two dear friends whom I have known since childhood. We recalled our memories of the tight-knit circle of immigrant families that came together each year for holiday potlucks. The tables would be a lovely mash-up of curries and other dishes that gave the adults a taste of home alongside the turkey, mashed potatoes, and other American dishes that catered towards younger palates.

At these gatherings, the dads would always end up camped out in one room playing cards, the moms in another catching up with one another, and all of us kids hooted and hollered through our games of freeze tag. Back then, I don’t think I truly appreciated how important these types of gatherings were for all of us, particularly when an ocean separated many of us from our extended families.

As an adult, however, I now realize how nourishing those gatherings were for our hearts (and our stomachs). It’s why I am so appreciative of AIISF’s circle of family, friends, and supporters like you. Many of you have remained connected with us for years, and some for decades. In 2024, whether you attended our gala or other in-person events, tuned into our virtual programming, followed along and commented on our social media posts, or helped to introduce others to Angel Island’s important-to-remember history, thank you from all of us at AIISF.

Looking ahead to 2025, I anticipate that the coming year will be challenging and that we will likely see continued increases in anti-Asian sentiment and xenophobic rhetoric and policies. But I also still have hope that our communities and our country will somehow find ways to heal the divides that seem even more prominent now.

Thus, this holiday season, I hope that you take the time to fill your hearts with connections, satisfy your stomachs with your favorite comfort foods, and remain an important part of this amazing community of people who recognize, understand, and help to uplift the history of Angel Island Immigration Station and all of the individuals who passed through it.

Wishing you connection, comfort (food), and a happy holiday season,

Edward Tepporn
Executive Director

PS. Our programs, exhibits, and operations are only possible with your support. Please consider donating to AIISF during our end-of-year campaign. We also hope you’ll consider contributing and adding your name (literally) to our Pathways to Immigration Special Campaign, which will allow us to make some important renovations to the outdoor terraces on the site.

Our End-of-Year Fundraising Campaign Is Here!

One of our major fundraisers is our end-of-year fundraising campaign. We are a small organization that relies on the generosity and partnership of community-minded people like you. Your support will allow us to continue our important work to protect the historic site, elevate its stories, promote learning, and celebrate the new beginnings and immigrant contributions that define the strength of the US.

Our work is perhaps even more important now than ever. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to AIISF.

Pathways to Immigration Special Campaign

Through our Pathways to Immigration Special Campaign, you can commemorate your own immigration journey, honor your family’s immigrant heritage, or show your allyship with immigrant communities.

Whether you or your family came through Angel Island or elsewhere and whether you arrived in the US decades ago or days ago, we welcome your name and your support.

Del Sol Quartet on Angel Island

December 14 | 11 am - 3 pm
Detention Barracks Museum | Click here to purchase tickets

On December 14, 2024, Del Sol violinist Hyeyung Sol Yoon will curate a program that explores the long history of Korean immigration to San Francisco, from those seeking refuge from Japanese-occupied Korea in the early 20th century to more recent immigration taking place post-1965.

The program will feature San Francisco-based Korean composer Jungyoon Wie’s “Han,” which incorporates a traditional Korean lullaby and an elegy that represents the complexity of han, a feeling of collective unresolved anger, grief, and regret amongst the Korean people. The concert will also feature newly created pieces by gamin and Hyeyung Sol Yoon, inspired by the responses of Joy from Korean-American elders of the Korean Community Center of East Bay’s Jikimee Senior Leadership Program.

There will be one performance at noon in the Detention Barracks Museum. Please note that the start time of this performance is subject to change. The performance is free, but a $5 entry to the museum is required.

Angel Island Immigration Station Poetry Finder | NEW in December! Rooms 109 & 111

The AIIS Poetry Finder allows you to explore, read, listen to, and reflect on the experiences of Angel Island’s immigrants from inside the barracks and at home.Chinese dialect readers; and our supporters, who made the AIIS Poetry Finder possible.

AIIS Poetry Finder Release Schedule

• NOW AVAILABLE: Room 105

• NOW AVAILABLE: Rooms 109 & 111

• Jan. 2025: Rooms 115 & 116

• Feb. 2025: Room 205

• Mar. 2025: Rooms 206 & 207

• Apr. 2025: Rooms 211 & 213

Upcoming Events

A Cage Built of Jade exhibit

Check out AIISF's newest traveling exhibit, A Cage Built of Jade!

The exhibit faithfully recreates one of the rooms inside the detention barracks and provides a glimpse into Angel Island's history and poetry. See the exhibit before it begins touring museums and libraries across the country in 2025.

A Full Day of Immigrant Stories from Angel Island State Park

December 12 | 10 am - 1 pm PST
Online | Click here to register

December 12 | 2:30 pm - 4 pm PST
Online | Click here to register

Our friends at Angel Island State Park are streaming immigration stories from the detention barracks for the WHOLE day!

Every hour, a new park ranger will guide you through the historic building and teach you about California's immigration history. Viewers will also have the opportunity to have their questions answered during a Q&A every half hour.

Angel Island Read A Loud: I am I.M. Pei

January 15 | 4 pm PST
Online | Click here to register

Join us on Zoom for a fun read-aloud! We’ll read a picture book about Angel Island and answer any questions participants might have.

We’re reading I am I.M. Pei. The world-renowned architect I. M. Pei is the twenty-fourth hero in the New York Times bestselling picture book biography series Ordinary People Change the World. 

This event is free and open to the public.

America's Field Trip Student Essay Contest

Deadline: April 16, 2025
Click here to learn more

Angel Island Immigration Station is one of the 11 landmarks included in the 2024-2025 America’s Field Trip contest. The contest is part of America250, a nationwide initiative to mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

25 first-place awardees from each grade level category and a chaperone will receive airfare and lodging for a 3-day, 2-night trip to a select historical or cultural site of their choice!