Statue of Liberty’s Crown Re-Opens Sunday October 28, 2012 and will Reopen after Hurricane Sandy-Closed Monday October 29 and Tuesday October 30, 2012
On October 28, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar accompanied a group of United States Military Academy cadets on the first general visit to the crown of the Statue of Liberty since October 29, 2011. Access to the crown of the Statue of Liberty National Monument reopened to the public after a year-long project to improve the visitor’s experience and safety through renovation and upgrades to pedestal elevator, staircases and mechanical systems.
“Today, as we mark her 126th anniversary, Lady Liberty stands strong, reminding us that we are a nation of immigrants,” said Interior Secretary Ken Salazar during the 30-minute ceremony. “The millions of people who passed by this statue on their way to a better world became a thread in the great American tapestry, strengthening us in our pursuit of a more perfect union – and a land of liberty and justice and opportunity for all.”
David Luchisnger, superintendent of Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island, noted that the re-opening and its attending ceremony were historically important. For the first time in history, visitors with mobility impairments will now be able to access the observation level at the top of the pedestal and see the Eiffel structure inside the Statue. Until this work was completed, people with mobility impairments could only access the top of the fort at the base of the Statue. This new level of access is 95 feet higher than before, and is the highest possible access the National Park Service can create while still ensuring the preservation of the historic Eiffel structure.
The $30 million project was funded with $25 million in congressional appropriations and other funds. The improvements allow an additional 26,000 visitors each year to visit the crown and many more will be able to experience the monument.
The project provided upgrades to fire alarms, sprinkler systems, strobes and enhanced the public address systems to improve visitor safety and protection of the monument, meeting New York City life safety codes “from the crown to the ground.” Visitor comfort is also improved by new HVAC systems, which moderate the effect of scorching summer days, when temperatures inside the Statue can be some 20 degrees hotter than outside.Cutting edge technology guided the upgrades to the 19th-century structure.Three dimensional modeling guided the design and allowed improved preservation and protection of the Statue. Contractors had to overcome the challenges of working within the historic, international icon, as well as the difficulties of staging supplies and equipment on an island in New York harbor. For example, the contractor had to move 60 tons of concrete out to Liberty Island, and the project included installation of three new elevators.
The General Contractor was Joseph A. Natoli Construction Corporation. The Architect of Record is Mills + Schnoering Architects. The construction company processed a total of 600 tradespeople through security to work on the project in the past year.
About Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island
Located on a 12-acre island in New York Harbor, the Statue, Liberty Enlightening the World , was a gift of friendship from the people of France to the people of the United States and is a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. The Statue of Liberty was dedicated on October 28, 1886, designated as a National Monument in 1924 and restored for her centennial on July 4, 1986.
How to Get Here
Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island are only accessible by ferry. To purchase ferry tickets, please visit www.statuecruises.com or call 201-604-2800. Crown tickets are only available through Statue Cruises.
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Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island scheduled to be closed Monday, Oct. 29 and Tuesday, Oct. 30
New York, NY – Today David Luchsinger, superintendent of Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island, announced that in anticipation of Hurricane Sandy, the park will be closed on Monday, Oct. 29 and Tuesday, Oct. 30.
Though the park anticipates re-opening to the public on Wednesday, Oct. 31, please check the park’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/StatueLibrtyNPSand Twitter feeds at www.twitter.com/StatueLibrtyNPS andwww.twitter.com/EllisIslandNPS for the most up-to-date information.
Those whose have tickets for Monday and Tuesday should contact Statue Cruises about how to reschedule their visit: www.statuecruises.com, 201-604-2800.
About Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island
Located on a 12-acre island in New York Harbor, the Statue, Liberty Enlightening the World, was a gift of friendship from the people of France to the people of the United States and is a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. The Statue of Liberty was dedicated on October 28, 1886, designated as a National Monument in 1924 and restored for her centennial on July 4, 1986.
