On February 7, we were joined by members of our community to commemorate the opening of the Forgotten Gateway exhibit. Alfonso Duncan and Brian Cosgrove of the Houston Maritime Museum and Irene Walters of the Houston Public Library’s Family History Research Center all joined us to lead a powerful discussion about immigration, history, and the never-ending journey that’s lasted generations!

From 1845 to 1924, the Port of Galveston was a major gateway for American immigration. This exhibition is the first of its kind to explore Galveston’s legacy as a port of entry on a national scale. It brings to light the little-known, yet rich, era of Galveston’s history and its importance to the growth of Texas and the American Midwest.

While Ellis Island’s location in New York made it a natural port for Europeans, Galveston attracted a diverse group of people from Europe, Mexico, South and Central America, and even Asia. The exhibition highlights enduring themes in the history of immigration including the dangers of the journey, making a life in a new land, navigating bureaucracy, and confronting discrimination.