FAQs
Is this all made from LEGO®?
Yes! Everything.
How long did it take?
Construction on the model began in September 2021. This includes, the planning, finding and purchasing the necessary parts, historic research, and the actual build itself. It was completed in May 2022.
Is anything cut, glued, or painted?
No. Nothing.
Is any of this a LEGO® set?
No. The entire display was built from scratch based upon information from the State Park, topographical maps, historic documents, and photos and a great deal of trial and error.
Who built the display?
Johannes van Galen, Nick McConnell and Kenny Paul, who are all members of the Bay Area LEGO® User Group. Founded in 1998, BayLUG is a registered non-profit which holds public meetings, displays and exhibitions at various local museums and events. Membership is open to families, individual adults and children.
Do the builders work for LEGO®?
No. It is just their very fun hobby.
Did the builders get paid for this?
No. The Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation paid for parts, but all of the work and time was donated by Nick, Kenny and Johannes purely on a volunteer basis.
Where did all of the parts come from?
Bricklink is a website where LEGO® fans can purchase the new or used parts they need from other LEGO® fans. For this build, 26 different part orders were placed from sellers in the US and Europe. Orders ranged from as small as just 16 parts to one order for 12,000 bricks.
Is this a map of the whole island?
No. It only depicts the Immigration Station as it existed during WWII, when the incarceration of Japanese Americans took place.
Will this be a permanent display?
Yes! This model will be a key part of the “Taken From Their Families” exhibit.