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Originally built as a fort for the War of 1812 Castle Clinton has since served as an opera house (1840-1855), an immigration station (1855-1890) as well as an aquarium (1896-1941). It now serves as the starting point for a journey to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island with ferries departing to both locations from the Battery Park Promenade, just outside the monument. The Castle also features guided tours, an exhibit room displaying dioramas of Castle Clinton during three key periods in its history, the Eastern National Bookstore, and the annual 'Music at Castle Clinton' concert series.