On the 29th of May, 2019, New York’s iconic Liberty Island hosted the unveiling of yet another architectural and cultural marvel on its storied grounds. Conceived as a welcoming, joyous garden pavilion that represents what the Mayor of New York City, Bill de Blasio, believes are the countries core values – “we embrace diversity, support our neighbours, and believe everyone should have a fair shot to live the American dream” – the Statue of Liberty Museum is more than a socio-cultural monument.
Designed by FXCollaborative and ESI Design, the 26,000 square foot museum features three gallery spaces, each one meant to inspire visitors and educate them about the Statue of Liberty through interactive and engaging exhibits. The building’s angular forms and spaces are shaped by its views and the irregularity of the water’s edge, a celebration of the very notion of ‘liberty’. The island’s landscape has been lifted and merged with the architecture to create this memorable public space.
“While the Statue of Liberty is one of the most recognisable icons in the world, few people ever get to climb to its crown or get to see Lady Liberty’s face up close,” said Edwin Schlossberg, Founder and Principal Designer of ESI Design. “Our goal for the design of the museum experience is to immerse visitors in not just the grandeur and sweeping history of the Statue, but also in the very idea of liberty itself so that they leave with a deeper understanding of what it means to them and the active role required to uphold it.”
The main attraction is an up-close view of Liberty’s most iconic symbol, her original torch, held high for nearly 100 years. Rescued from the elements and replaced in 1986, the torch is the most powerful artefact visitors encounter. The roof of the museum is planted with native meadow grass and offers panoramic views of Lady Liberty, lower Manhattan, and all of New York Harbour.
The Statue of Liberty Museum is part of a $100 million Liberty Island-wide beautification effort that’s being funded by The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation. The grand opening ceremony featured performances by Broadway stars and the Manhattan Girls Chorus, as well as riveting speeches by doyens of politics, business and fashion.
