Vault #21: Art of the Barracks
The Drawings and Recollections of Angel Island Immigrants
Drawings appear on the west wall of the upstairs Chinese men’s dormitory.
Numerous carvings of ships, fish, birds, and other figures can be found throughout the detention barracks. These illustrations remind us that art, like the building’s historic Chinese poetry, can offer another glimpse into the lives of Angel Island immigrants. When paired with the recollections of former detainees, the drawings form an illustrated history of the US Immigration Station.
The selections below represent a portion of the many drawings found throughout the detention barracks. Use the room maps to find the illustrations inside the building. Several of the accompanying quotes have been translated and/or edited for clarity.
Downstairs Dormitory
View of the downstairs Chinese men’s dormitory’s south wall (right) and east wall (background). Many of the drawings can be found on the upper half of the wall, beneath the yellow paint. View the poetry of Room 105 here.
Other Drawings
Upstairs Dormitory
View of the upstairs Chinese men’s dormitory’s south wall (left) and west wall (background). Most of the drawings appear on the lower half of the wall, beneath the grey paint. View the poetry of Room 205 here.