Inside the Construction of the Statue of Liberty Museum on Liberty Island

Rendering by FXFowle

In 2019, a new 26,000 square foot museum will open on Liberty Island: the new Statue of Liberty Museum. Under construction since October 2016, the Statue of Liberty Museum will be the first new construction by the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Corporation since the 1980s. Due to security upgrades following 9/11, only a small portion of those who visit the island see the current Statue of Liberty Museum, located inside the base. When open, the new museum will be free to access for everyone who purchases a ferry ticket to Liberty Island and Ellis Island, offering new educational and experiential opportunities for guests.

The museum had a topping out ceremony yesterday and Untapped Cities was on hand to witness the last steel beam being hoisted into place. The beam was signed by construction workers from Phelps Construction Group, Stephen A. Briganti, CEO of The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Corporation, Diane von Furstenberg, campaign chairperson for the museum, Edwin Schlossberg of ESI Design, and architects from FXFOWLE. Following the topping out, we took a hard hat tour to see inside the construction.

Diane von Furstenberg, campaign chair, before the beam was hoisted

FXFowle is responsible for the design of the building and a representative told the press that the building will deliberately showcase the materials of construction, the same as those used in the construction of the Statue of Liberty and Fort Wood including Stony Creek granite, bronze, and plaster. Native vegetation to Liberty Island will be used to on a green roof. A “Liberty Mural” will feature the original hand-forged iron bars made by Gustav Eiffel that were removed from the Statue of Liberty in the centennial restoration along with stars by artist Anh Dung, and the original torch will be on display in the museum, moved from its current location inside the base of the statue.

Rendering by FXFowle

ESI Design is responsible for the experiential design of the new space which will include an immersive walkthrough theater that tells the story of the creation and construction of the Statue of Liberty, including a virtual flythrough of the statue. An “Engagement Gallery” will allow visitors to explore the symbolism and creation process of the statue more in depth. It will even show a recreation of Bartholdi and Eiffel’s studio, where the Statue of Liberty was constructed and an example of the repousse process used for the creation of the statue. On display will be models of the crown and one of the broken shackles and tablet. An “Inspiration Gallery” will give visitors the opportunity to reflect on what liberty and the statue means to them.

Here are some renderings of the interior of the Statue of Liberty Museum:

Image shows the interior of the Statue of Liberty and the staircase that leads to the crown, an experience open to visitors with advance ticketing. Rendering by FXFowle