Secretary of the Interior Gale A. Norton today welcomed visitors from around the world to experience the improved access to the Statue of Liberty, America's monument to freedom.
A new plan for improved access provides park visitors with opportunities for a safe, inspirational, and interactive experience at this important national icon. Under the plan, visitors will have close-up views of the Statue, will be able to tour the Statue of Liberty Museum, and enjoy a 360- degree panoramic view of New York Harbor from the Observation Deck.
Closed since September 11, 2001, the monument has undergone extensive renovations and technology upgrades to enhance the visitor experience, including guided tours and programs by park rangers, a reservation system, and increased handicapped access.
A new glass-ceiling viewing area also has been created inside Lady Liberty that features a ranger presentation, with enhanced lighting and video images, that enables visitors to see into the skeletal structure of the Statue, appreciate Frederic Auguste Bartholdi's magnificent artistry and experience the soaring architecture of this 19th century engineering marvel designed by Gustave Eiffel.
"Now, more than ever, the Statue of Liberty represents an evolving symbol of freedom, inspiration, and resilience for people all over the world," said Secretary Norton. "We need to give visitors an experience to remember as well as protect this national treasure for future generations to enjoy."
To safeguard the monument, her visitors and park employees, numerous safety and security measures have been put into place. Key improvements include: heightened security on and around the Islands, secondary security screening prior to entering the Statue, an advanced tour reservation system, additional emergency lighting and exits, upgraded and expanded fire detection and suppression systems and a series of compartmentalized spaces, expanded smoke detection and speaker systems on and around the Island, additional communication systems to alert visitors with safety messages, and new and upgraded elevators, ramps and evacuation routes.
In addition, staff and contractors of both Ellis and Liberty Islands have participated in all-hazard emergency preparedness training as a part of the Department of Homeland Security's Citizen Corps Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training earlier this year.
"Many of the numerous security and safety issues we addressed and resolved were concerns prior to September 11th," said Fran. P. Mainella, director of the National Park Service. "The safety and security of all employees and visitors is our number one priority and as a result of the overwhelming support from public and private partnerships, the Statue of Liberty is not only safer -- she's better than ever in all respects."
Supported by The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, the official opening day ceremony was emceed by CNN Anchor Aaron Brown and featured patriotic musical performances by:
- The U.S. Army's 319th Statue of Liberty Band
- The 82nd Airborne Division "All-American Chorus"
- The U.S. Army Band (Pershing's Own) Herald Trumpeters
- Tiffany Evans, 11-year-old Columbia Records Recording Artist
- The multi-cultural Young People's Chorus of New York City
In addition to the musical portions of the program, the ceremony included:
- A Presentation of the Colors by the Joint Services Color Guard of the U.S. Armed Forces
- An air show above the monument featuring F-15 aircraft representing the Massachusetts Air National Guard stationed at Otis Air Force Base
- The Liberty Wing from the United Kingdom
- New York City Fire Boat shows
- And, a collection of patriotic flags that flew at Ground Zero, the Pentagon and the crash site in Shanksville, PA on display in memory of 9/11 victims
Also in attendance were local and national government officials including: Secretary Norton; Fran P. Mainella, Director of the National Park Service; Cynthia Garrett, Superintendent of the Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island; Governor George Pataki; and, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
Tour Information
The Observatory Tour, approximately one hour in duration, and the Promenade Tour, approximately 30 minutes in duration, offer excellent opportunities to visit the Statue's museum, view the original torch, and appreciate the 360-degree panoramic views of the New York skyline, New Jersey, the Harbor and the Statue.
In addition, the Observatory Tour also provides an opportunity for visitors to view the interior of the Statue through a glass ceiling that includes a ranger-led presentation supplemented with a video and graphics that illustrate the history of the Statue.
Several other activities to be enjoyed by all include: touring the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, researching family history at the American Family Immigration Center, listening to the history of the park on an audio tour or ranger-guided tour, watching the Island of Hope/Island of Tears half- hour film produced by Oscar-winning filmmaker Charles Guggenheim, visiting The American Immigrant Wall of Honor, and dining and shopping at the various shops and restaurants on the Islands. Children and the young at heart can also try their luck at becoming Junior Rangers.
Advance Tour Reservations System
To eliminate the long lines previously associated with visiting the inside of the Statue and for safety reasons, visitors will now be required to obtain a time pass for reservations for each of the two new tours.
Time passes for both tours can be booked in advance directly through Circle Line Ferry or obtained the day of visit at the Circle Line Ferry ticket booths at Battery Park and Liberty State Park on a first come, first served basis. Close to 3,000 visitors can be accommodated on the daily tours, which will take place from 8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. through September. There is no charge to tour the Statue, Liberty or Ellis Island, but there is a fee for the ferry tickets ($10 for adults and $4 for children). In addition, to reserve time passes in ahead of time, a ferry ticket also must be purchased and there is a service charge for the advance ferry ticket of $1.75 per transaction. To make an advance reservation for ferry tickets and tour time passes, please call 1-866-STATUE-4. The online reservation component at www.statuereservations.com will be available by the middle of August.
A large percentage of the advance time passes for the two tours are already booked, although a small percentage of walk-up time passes are available each day for the two tours. These can be obtained at the Circle Line ferry ticket booths in Battery Park and Liberty State Park on a first come, first served basis.
The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation
In September 2003, The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation launched the Campaign to Re-Open Lady Liberty and received an overwhelming response from the American people, corporate America and philanthropic foundations, which evolved into the public forum for all citizens to contribute to the revitalization of Lady Liberty.
Major donations to the Foundation's campaign include: $3 million from American Express, the Foundation's Principal Partner; $1 million from Folgers Coffee, its Official Sponsor; and $1 million from the Annenberg Foundation.
The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to the United States and the world in 1886 to celebrate and symbolize American independence. It was designed by sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi and included an internal skeleton done by Gustave Eiffel, who later built his namesake tower in Paris. In an unprecedented spirit of international cooperation, French citizens raised funds for the monument, while their counterparts in the United States paid for the pedestal, which was designed by New Yorker Richard Morris Hunt. Lady Liberty was then dedicated on October 28, 1886 on Bedloe's Island in New York Harbor.
Throughout the past 118 years, Lady Liberty has stood at the entrance to New York Harbor, her symbolic meaning has evolved and changed with the times. Today she represents freedom and what it means to be an American. And no matter what she holds for future generations, she will always represent the fundamental values of our founding forefathers: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
