Races, Immigration: United States. New York. New York City. Immigrant Station: Regulation of Immigration at the Port of Entry. United States Immigrant Station, New York City: Under canopy, waiting to enter main entrance to hall. c. 1903

Editor: This photograph by J.H. Adams captures a crowd of immigrants outside an entry hall in New York City. The sepia tone and visible wear on the print really emphasize the historical weight of the scene. What stands out to you? Curator: Look at the materiality of this image: it's not just a photograph, but a document of labor and movement. Each suitcase represents a journey, a transaction of hope and the unknown. What materials did they carry, what did they leave behind, and what system enabled – or hindered – their passage? Editor: So, it's not just about the people, but also the things they carried, and the system that processed them. Curator: Precisely. This photograph prompts us to consider immigration as a complex interplay of materials, labor, and the societal structures that shape human movement. Editor: That definitely gives me a new perspective to think about when viewing it.