Sonia Fuentes. 2 million passengers, 2 million stories

Among the emigrants were a large number of Jews who were fleeing the Nazi regime in Germany in the thirties. One of these moving stories is that of the Pressman family.

Ali's Boat

28.04.2016 - 28.08.2016

"Ali's Boat" is the work of Iraqi-Dutch artist Sadik Kwaish Alfraji. It is the artist's personal and contemporary interpretation of the museum's central theme: the dream of millions of people to build a new life elsewhere.

Opening exhibition 'Via Antwerp. The Road to Ellis Island'

The Red Star Line Museum brings exhibition to Ellis Island, New York

On May 26, 2016 the Red Star Line Museum opened the exhibition 'Via Antwerp. The Road to Ellis Island' at the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration in New York. Guests of honour were the (Irving) Berlin Family. The event was hosted by CNN’s Kate Bolduan, who has Belgian roots.

The trip that resulted in a lifetime of photography and fame

A passenger inspiring the future generations

The story of world famous photographer Eduard Jean Steichen, and how his journey across the Atlantic as a young boy shaped his future.

Cruise away...

The Red Star Line Museum has even more gems of passengers’ and crew members’ diaries and photograph albums. Take a look here.

Cruise away...

The Red Star Line Museum has even more gems of passengers’ and crew members’ diaries and photograph albums. Take a look here.

The Red Star Line buildings

The historic harbour sheds are silent witnesses to the story of the millions of Red Star Line passengers. We consider them part of our collection.

Yiddish advertisement

Antwerp was a particularly popular port of emigration among Jews from Central and Eastern Europe. These people constituted a sizeable proportion of the Red Star Line’s passengers. The shipping company recruited its “customers” from deep within Eastern Europe.

Leopold longs for an adventurous life in Canada

He fought for his dream for more than 20 years

In the course of 20 years, Leopold Lybeer worked as a railway builder and herdsman in Canada. The financial crisis and his wife's nostalgia ended his Canadian adventure. Leopold would never forget the pristine landscape of Canada.