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Visiting
The Statue of Liberty
Note: The Statue will close October 29, 2011 for a year-long upgrade project. All interiors of the Statue itself, including the museum, pedestal and crown, will be closed to the public while this work takes place. The interior of the base of the Statue, and the historic fort that is the foundation of the Statue, are scheduled for necessary upgrades to stairwells, elevators and mechanical systems. However, Liberty Island will remain open to visitors during the renovations, and views of Lady Liberty will remain unobstructed. Visitors can purchase the audio tour or join a ranger tour of the Island.
Visitors can now experience a special insider's view of the engineering marvel
that is the Statue of Liberty, who celebrates her 125th anniversary October 28, 2011. To better
understand this monumental work of art, visitors can view inside the Statue
through a glass ceiling, guided by a park ranger, an enhanced lighting and new
video system. In addition, visitors can enjoy walking out onto the Statue's
observation deck to see the panoramic views of New York City and the Harbor,
and witness the Statue up close from her promenades on Ft. Wood.
The Crown is open to visitors, but Crown Tickets, which include Pedestal/Museum
Access, are required. More information about the entering the Crown is
available on the website of the National Park
Service. Crown tickets are sold out through the rest of 2011.
The famous "Liberty Bike"
built by Orange County Choppers and featured on the
popular Discovery Channel / TLC television series "American Chopper" will be on
exhibit throughout 2011 in celebration of Lady Liberty's 125th Anniversary
Year. Housed in a spectacular outdoor display on Liberty Island, this special
motorcycle was commissioned by Gold Leaf Corporation and is entirely plated in
copper that was preserved from the centennial restoration of the Statue of
Liberty National Monument through an exclusive agreement with The Statue of
Liberty - Ellis Island Foundation.
Statue Tour
Entry to the
monument pedestal is by Pedestal/Museum Ticket only, which is available in
advance with the purchase of a Reserve Ticket online at
www.statuecruises.com or by calling 201-604-2800.
Crown Tickets are also offered for purchase. Though the Pedestal/Museum Ticket
is not available online with the Flex Ticket, a limited number of
Pedestal/Museum Tickets are available each day at the ticket booth by request
on a first-come, first-serve basis. When on the island, a secondary screening
is required of all Pedestal/Museum Ticket and Crown Ticket holders and may
require extra waiting time.
Experience the statue's magnificent construction, learn about its history in
the museum and discover the spectacular views from the top of the pedestal
(Visitors must be able to climb 24 steps after exiting the elevator to reach
the pedestal observatory). Even without Pedestal/Museum or Crown Tickets,
visitors can participate in ranger-led walking tours of the island, view
interpretive waysides, eat at the restaurant, and browse through the gift shop.
An audio tour,
available in nine languages, provides fascinating commentary about Lady
Liberty, her history, and significance as a worldwide symbol of freedom. A
30-minute tour of Liberty Island explores outside the Statue, and an extended
tour lets those with a Monument Pass fully experience the Statue Museum. A
special children's tour is narrated by "Frances the Falcon" and is offered in
five languages. Audio tours can be purchased from Statue Cruises along with
ferry tickets or on site at the Antenna International booth.
MUSEUM HIGHLIGHTS
Statue of Liberty Exhibit
The Statue of Liberty exhibit, which opened in July 1986 and is located on the
second floor in the pedestal of the Statue, traces the history and symbolism of
the Statue of Liberty through museum objects, photographs, prints, videos and
oral histories. In addition to historical artifacts and descriptive text, full
scale replicas of the Statue's face and foot are also on display. The main
historical sections include: From Idea to Image, Fabricating the Statue,
Stretching Technology, Fundraising in France, The Pedestal, Fundraising in
America, and Complete at Last. The next area focuses on the symbolism of
Liberty with sections titled Mother of Exiles, Becoming the Statue of America,
Century of Souvenirs, The Image Exploited and The Statue in Popular Culture.
The Torch Exhibit
The Torch Exhibit includes the original 1886 torch and much altered flame in
the lobby. On the second floor balcony overlooking this torch is a display on
the history of the torch and flame, explaining the various alterations through
diagrams, photographs, drawings and cartoons.
The "New Colossus"
The famous sonnet written by Emma Lazarus in 1883. A bronze plaque, dedicated
in memory of Emma Lazarus' contribution to the completion of the Statue's
pedestal, has been affixed to the inner walls of the pedestal since the early
1900's. This plaque, currently located in the Statue of Liberty exhibit, has
come to symbolize the statue's universal message of hope and freedom for
immigrants coming to America and people seeking freedom around the world.
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