Families Come Together at the Immigration Station for a Day of History and Fun

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The Immigration Station recently came alive with interactive activities and entertainment for families who participated in AIISF’s Family Day on July 13, 2019.

The day’s activities were presented through a smartphone app that introduced families to Look Lowe, a Chinese Paper Son who arrived on Angel Island when the Immigration Station was in operation. They followed many of Look Lowe’s steps and stories as they visited each area of the Angel Island Immigration Station site and experienced unique elements specifically recreated for this day. Highlights included:

  • A round trip ride from Tiburon on the Angel Island-Tiburon Ferry.

  • An scavenger hunt of the Immigration Station through an interactive app created by Geoteaming.

  • Grant Din led a station in the detention barracks on “Building a Family Tree.”

  • Stations run by Joe and Eliz Chan (2019 Spirit of Angel Island honorees) discussed immigrant interrogation and detention.

  • California State Parks volunteers facilitated a poetry rubbing activity.

  • Lunch was provided by the Angel Island Company in the WWII Mess Hall. It included an educational handout discussing detainee menus during Look Lowe’s time on the island.

  • A special performance and photo opportunity from Lion Dance ME.

  • At the conclusion of the event, guests received t-shirts and books as mementos.

AIISF would like to extend a special thanks to Natalie Huen, John Chen, and the Look Lowe Family Trust, who were primarily responsible for the logistics, planning and execution of this event. We also want to thank our sponsor, Southwest Airlines, for helping make this event possible.

Russell Nauman