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Construction crews are finishing up work on The Statue of Liberty Museum Project, a new experience on Liberty Island that will remove the barriers that currently hinder access to one of the world's most famous monuments. The $70 million development designed by FXCollaborative and ESI Design introduces a 26,000-square-foot addition embedded within the landscape of Liberty Island.
While artifacts have been on display within the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty, post-9/11 security measures and visitor quotas have precluded universal access to the existing museum. Approximately 80 percent of the 4.3 million annual visitors are unable to enter the pedestal as a result.
The museum's new home will be contained within a standalone building erupting out of the ground and clad in materials evoking Lady Liberty, including copper and plaster. The interior will consist of three gallery spaces. The Engagement Gallery allows visitors to explore the construction of the statue in Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi's warehouse. The Inspiration Gallery gives guests an opportunity to reflect on their experience and add a self-portrait to a digital experience coined Becoming Liberty.
The tour concludes with visitors getting up close and personal with the original torch, which was replaced in 1986 after nearly 100 years held high above the island. A rooftop pavilion provides elevated views of the Statue of Liberty and the expansive Manhattan skyline.
Scheduled to open in May, the new Statue of Liberty Museum seeks to create a more engaging and accessible tour at Liberty Island, preserve existing open spaces, and offer a venue to enjoy performances and events at the flag plaza.
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