Liberty Mutual: Responsibility Project

I was elated and surprised to be contacted by Liberty Mutual to do a special tour of Ellis Island while attending Blogher in NYC. About 30 of us boarded a bus at the hotel and drove to Battery Park, while getting a low down on all the different neighborhoods of New York by our tour guide, Tom. The man knew NYC and definitely knew Ellis Island and it's rich history!

After going through security, we boarded a boat like this with a gabillion other people that were going to see the Statue of Liberty and/or Ellis Island.


It was a little breezy on the boat (aka tough hair day), but the backdrop was beautiful!

Wow. Right?
We motored past the Statue of Liberty. I had never seen her in person before, so it was really cool for me!


We arrived at Ellis Island and had a delicious lunch waiting for us! We learned all about Liberty Mutual's Responsibility Project. They have a great website. Clearly they are on to something here because we should all be looking out for each other!

I had no idea about how immigrants came through Ellis Island. None of my relatives came to America this way, so I couldn't look anyone up on their vast website. However, my new friend, Maria had her grandparents' name to find.

This is the room where everyone was checked in.
Some examples of some of the baggage they brought.
Tom, our fabulous tour guide!

Maria finding her grandparents' name on the wall. It was an emotional moment.

Then we had to add some levity and squish Lady Liberty.

Thank you Liberty Mutual for this fantastic day that I will always treasure! It was truly a treat and an honor to be a part of this day with you!