New York’s iconic Statue of Liberty will remain open through to 28th October 2011, its 125th anniversary when the celebrations will include music and special tours and programmes. The next day all interior spaces of the Statue of Liberty will close for approximately one year while upgrades are made to the 125-year-old pedestal and the 200-year-old fort base from which the statue rises – but Liberty Island will remain open.
When completed, the interior will have new stairways and lifts, as well as upgrades to water, mechanical and electrical systems. As the work is being done inside, views of Lady Liberty from land and sea will remain unobstructed. National Park Rangers will remain on site to greet, educate and inspire thousands visiting each day.
Daily, the majority of visitors tour the exterior grounds only, because only 3,200 tickets are available to go inside. The planned work affects a minority of visitors.
The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World was a gift of friendship from the people of France to the people of the United States of America and is a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. The Statue of Liberty was dedicated on 28th October 1886, designated as a National Monument in 1924, and restored for her centennial on 4th July 1986. The Statue of Liberty’s face was, it is said, modelled after the sculptor’s mother, Charlotte.
