ELISSA was built in Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1877 by Alexander Hall & Co.
Before her restoration, ELISSA spent decades under various flags, including as a banana freighter and a smuggling vessel.
The ship is one of only three ships of her kind in the world to still actively sail.
The Texas Seaport Museum database includes names of immigrants from more than 30 countries.
The ship's hull is constructed of riveted iron plates rather than modern steel.
ELISSA has traveled over 400,000 nautical miles during her long career.
Every year, volunteers and crew perform sea trials to ensure the vessel remains seaworthy.
The ship was rescued from a scrapyard in Greece in 1975 before being brought to Galveston for restoration.
The Galveston Historic Seaport serves as the permanent home to the 1877 Tall Ship ELISSA, one of the oldest sailing vessels still in operation worldwide. As a National Historic Landmark, the iron-hulled barque has been meticulously restored and remains capable of sailing under its own power. The adjacent Texas Seaport Museum chronicles the island's history as a major 19th-century immigration port, often referred to as the Ellis Island of the West. Visitors can board the ship to explore the deck, cargo hold, and captain's quarters. The museum features a searchable database containing the names of over 133,000 immigrants who arrived through the Port of Galveston. Exhibit galleries detail the life of a merchant sailor during the late 1800s and the engineering required to preserve an iron-hulled vessel. The site functions as a living maritime classroom, providing insight into the age of sail and the transition to steam technology.
The end of the pier looking back at the ship's full masts against the Galveston harbor skyline.
Wear flat, rubber-soled shoes to maintain traction on the ship's wooden decks.
Check the museum website in advance to see if the ship is hosting a scheduled sail or special maintenance day.
Visit the immigration database at the museum entrance to search for ancestors who may have arrived in Texas.
Do not rush through the interior museum galleries; the immigration stories provide essential context for the ship outside.
Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day; occasionally closed for private events or major ship maintenance projects.
Visitors must be able to navigate narrow staircases and uneven hatches; avoid wearing high heels or restrictive clothing.
