Statue of Liberty National Monument

Sometimes it can be difficult to tell what part of a historic structure has been repaired or replaced, especially when modifications took place a long time ago.

In the centennial restoration for the Statue of Liberty that took place in the 1980s, replacement bars were stamped with the year that the restoration was completed: 1986!

📸: NPS

We’ve had some historically low temperatures in the New York metro area, but the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration are still open for visitors.

Make sure to wear extra layers, limit your time outdoors, and plan indoor adventures into your itinerary.

Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration and The Statue of Liberty Museum are great places to stay warm at the park!

📸🎥: NPS

People who climb to the crown of the Statue of Liberty can experience this close up view of the statue’s face.

Her copper shell, or envelope, is made of thin copper sheets that were heated and hammered over molds or forms.

The inside of the copper is a direct negative impression of the statue as seen from the outside, so many of her features are visible from the inside.

Reservations for the crown are limited and can sell out several months in advance. Visit NPS.gov/STLI to plan your trip!

📸: NPS

Photo description: The Statue of Liberty’s face, as seen from inside the statue.

What is the biggest snowstorm that happened in your lifetime?

One of the first big storms that the Statue of Liberty faced was the Great Blizzard of 1888.

Less than a year and a half after the statue was dedicated, this legendary snowstorm dropped over 50 inches of snow to parts of the greater NYC metro area.

After the storm, a New York Times headline declared “Liberty’s Statue All Right”. According to the article, the door to the pedestal was blown open, allowing piles of snow to enter the monument.

Snow allegedly entered the head of the statue as well, but other than that, Lady Liberty was reported to be unharmed by the storm.

📸: NPS

Photo description: The Statue of Liberty’s left side, taken during a snowstorm.

Did any of the copper from the Statue of Liberty have to be replaced over the years?

The vast majority of the statue’s copper shell, or envelope, is original.

There are a few exceptions to this:

🗽The Statue of Liberty’s original torch was replaced. The torch that was on the statue for nearly 100 years was so badly damaged from galvanic corrosion and other stresses, that it was decided in the 1980s that a new torch should be created and placed on the statue.

🗽Water was able to collect over the years in certain sections of the statue, like one of the curls and the statue’s nose. The first photo shows the damage that the water caused to the statue’s curl, and the second photo shows the restored curl on the statue.

📸: NPS

It may be January, but it felt like spring today on Liberty Island!

Here are some of things that our visitors are able to do at Statue of Liberty National Monument:

🗽 In the Statue of Liberty Museum, visitors can see the statue’s original torch, watch a 10 minute film, and explore exhibits and artifacts that tell the history of the statue.

🗽 Visitors to the Statue of Liberty can visit the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration as part of their trip.

🗽A self guided audio tour is included with every trip to both Liberty and Ellis Island.

🗽 Some visitors were able to visit the pedestal, and even the crown of the Statue of Liberty. Reservations to the crown are limited and can sell out several months in advance.

Visit NPS.gov/STLI to plan your trip!

📸: NPS

Happy New Year!

We are looking forward to a year where we will be celebrating 250 years of American Independence, as well as the 140th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty’s dedication in New York Harbor.

At Statue of Liberty National Monument, our cancellation stamps are officially rolled forward into 2026.

Visitors travel all across the country to collect these stamps from the National Park Service.

What park sites are you planning to visit in 2026?

📸: NPS

Photo description: The cancellation stamp of the Statue of Liberty reading today’s date: January 1st, 2026

Due to expected snowfall on Liberty and Ellis Island, Statue of Liberty National Monument will have a delayed opening on Saturday, December 27th.

First ferry departures will be at 10:50 am from Battery Park, NY and Liberty State Park, NJ.

📸: NPS