The samovar was one of the few things that my great grandma carried to Ellis Island. This shows the bravery and perseverance that she had traveling across the Atlantic Ocean from Russia.

My great grandma, Leah W., came to Ellis Island on the S.S. Nieuw Amsterdam arriving on March 19, 1907. She immigrated from Russia to the United States looking for a better life, free of persecution. They were not allowed to take most of their possessions on board the ship. Since she lived in the cold Russia, Leah brought her samovar which made hot water because it was something she valued. The samovar now has many stamps dating back to 1893.