These immigrants, decked out in traditional clothing, formed the rich tapestry of the American experience.

Images from Ellis Island reveal the stunning ethnic and cultural diversity tossed into the melting pot by way of the New York City shores. 
Chief Registry Clerk Augustus Sherman worked on Ellis Island from 1892 until 1925. The Washington Post reports that he was also an amateur photographer who took photos of immigrants as they made their way into the country. 
One image shows a heavily-inked German man; a stowaway. 
Another picture shows a Ruthenian woman, looking straight at