On Thursday, May 16, Liberty Island is opening the Statue of Liberty Museum, a $100-million project that first broke ground two years ago.
Since September 11, 2001, only about 20 percent of the island’s 4.3 million visitors have been able to see the old museum —formerly located in the Statue’s pedestal— due to increased security and a new ticketing system. The new museum, which is free to anyone who purchases a ferry ticket to Liberty and Ellis Islands, will reach the other 80%, making the Statue’s history and legacy more accessible to New York City tourists and residents.
Rising up from the pedestrian mall at the top of the island, the museum’s structure was built to pay respect to Lady Liberty herself, its height not exceeding that of the fort her pedestal sits on. Even the granite staircase leading up to the museum’s roof was constructed using the same granite as the Statue’s pedestal. Climbing the steps, visitors reach a roof terrace that provides unparalleled views of the Statue, lower Manhattan, and New York Harbor, culminating in a sense of awe and appreciation for Lady Liberty and her promise.
Discover the Statue’s Rich History
The 26,000-square-foot space is divided into three main areas: an Immersive Theater, an Engagement Gallery, and an Inspiration Gallery. Guests can start their visit by stepping into the Theater and watching a 10-minute video that narrates the story of the Statue—from how she was built to how she became a symbol of liberty and freedom—narrated by Diane Sawyer. The video features never-before-seen illustrations of the Statue as well as first-time drone footage of the Statue’s exterior.
In the subsequent gallery, visitors can delve even deeper into the Statue’s history, beginning with a thorough examination of French sculptor Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi’s sketches of Lady Liberty, ending with artifacts that showcase her prominence in pop culture.
The museum’s shining feature, the Statue’s original torch, is on full display in the Inspiration Gallery, with stunning views of Lady Liberty through the floor-to-ceiling glass walls. The torch, held high for 102 years, was replaced in 1986. Until November, the torch had been displayed in the museum’s previous location within the Statue’s pedestal.
Museum-goers will also have the unique opportunity to touch a full-scale model of the Statue’s face before continuing on to an interactive exhibit where they can express what liberty means to them.
Additionally, the museum has collaborated with Apple to create a Statue of Liberty app for those unable to visit. Featuring augmented reality experiences and a “Through Her Eyes” feature that enables users to view New York City through the Statue’s perspective from 1886 to present day, the app offers a deeper look into the Statue of Liberty’s significance in history and time. The app is available on iOS starting today.
To see the museum for yourself, you will need to purchase a ferry ticket to Liberty and Ellis Islands from Statue Cruises. Tickets start at $18.50 for adults.
