Angel Island honored for effort to turn historic hospital into museum

The Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation has transformed the historic hospital into a museum that presents personal stories, immigration policies and social issues surrounding immigration to the U.S. through the Pacific Coast. (via Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation)

The state of California has recognized Angel Island’s efforts to “restore and reimagine” its abandoned former hospital building as the Immigration Museum.

The project was named one of five recipients of the 2022 Governor’s Historic Preservation Award, which seeks to recognize citizen efforts to preserve and celebrate California’s collective heritage. Honorees will be recognized at a March 30 ceremony in Sacramento.

“We’re just elated to be one of the five recipients,” said Ed Tepporn, executive director of the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation, which oversees the preservation and maintenance of the buildings in the complex. He said the foundation would accept the award “in memory of all the immigrants who were processed through or detained at Angel Island.”

The museum is part of the entire suite of buildings clustered together on the eastern side of the island that make up the Immigration Station complex, which is a national historic landmark.

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