The Statue of Liberty Museum in New York

A brand new building west of Liberty Island

• As you approach Liberty Island, home to the Statue of Liberty, you’ll notice a long, low building on the island’s west side. The brand new Statue of Liberty Museum opened in May 2019!
• This new museum replaces the old cramped museum that occupied the pedestal. The old museum had a major drawback: although free, not everyone could visit it because you needed a ticket to the pedestal to enter.
• The new museum is still free and far more accessible: it’s open to everyone, with no restrictions! This 2,500 m² (26,910 sq ft) space was designed to welcome far more visitors. The Statue of Liberty attracts over 4.5 million tourists each year, yet not everyone can fit inside the pedestal.

Three films with stunning views of the statue

• Your visit begins with a series of three films shown in three adjacent dark rooms. The first two films tell the story of how the Statue of Liberty was built, while the third explores the statue’s influence on American society.
• I won’t spoil the surprises, but the footage is stunning and includes some never-before-seen angles. One drawback: there are no seats or benches, and after a long day of walking around New York, you might wish you could sit down. Tip: position yourself in the center of each room and sit on the floor!

The remarkable story of the Statue of Liberty

• After the three films, head left and travel back in time! The museum traces the Statue of Liberty’s history from the first sketches by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi through its dedication on October 28, 1886.
• The museum features the essential historical documents and objects from the old museum, but presented in a far more modern and engaging way. A special highlight is the room that recreates the atmosphere of Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi’s Paris workshops. You can follow every step of the statue’s creation. Videos show the fabrication of replacement parts made for the statue in 1986. Fascinating stuff!
• The following rooms cover the statue’s dedication and its impact on American society. One display case features posters and objects featuring the statue’s image, from a World War II bond drive to toys.

The Statue of Liberty in the age of social media

• Next comes an interactive space. You’re invited to create a profile at a digital kiosk by entering your name and taking a photo. Then choose images that best define Liberty to you and submit by entering your email address.
• Done? Stand in front of the large screen facing the kiosks and wait a few minutes. Your photo will appear on screen, forming a mosaic with photos from other visitors. This art project is called “Becoming Liberty.” The National Park Service, which manages the Statue of Liberty, has found a clever way to build a global database with the names, photos, nationalities and email addresses of all its visitors. Quite the data collection tool!
• You’ll also notice the screen displays statistics on visitor nationalities. Chinese and Indian visitors lead by a wide margin!

The original torch of the Statue of Liberty

• More compelling than the photo screen is the adjoining room housing the original torch from the statue’s dedication in 1886 until its replacement in 1985. The presentation is particularly well done: the room overlooks the statue, and you can walk all the way around the original torch.
• Don’t miss the explanations about how different parts of the statue have been replaced over time. Like the Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty has been gradually rebuilt through renovations.

Head to the roof for views of New York

• Once you’ve finished the museum, take the stairs up to the roof. The view of New York is absolutely stunning! You’ll see the Statue of Liberty from behind and the entire New York harbor, from Manhattan to Staten Island, including Ellis Island.
• From this vantage point, you can also watch the constant flow of ferries and activity on Liberty Island. I spent a long time enjoying this unique perspective.
• For complete information about visiting the Statue of Liberty and its museum, see the dedicated page on the Statue of Liberty. Enjoy your visit!

Visiting the Statue of Liberty Museum

• Museum admission is included with your ticket to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. No separate ticket needed.
• If you have a New York sightseeing pass, such as the New York City Pass, New York City Explorer Pass or New York Pass, museum admission is included with your Statue of Liberty ticket.