Liberty Island

Liberty Island is a small island in Upper New York Bay that is very special because of the famous Statue of Liberty, also called Liberty Enlightening the World. The statue was made by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and was put up there in 1886. It stands tall and holds up a torch and a book, welcoming people to the United States.

The island used to be called Bedloe's Island, but in 1956, United States Congress changed its name to Liberty Island. Even though it is very close to Jersey City, New Jersey, the island is actually part of Manhattan, a part of New York City, even though it is surrounded by New Jersey's water. This made some people argue about who should control the island, but in the end, it became a special place for everyone.

Today, Liberty Island is part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument, which started in 1937 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt made it official. In 1966, the island was added to the National Register of Historic Places along with the Statue of Liberty National Monument, Ellis Island, and Liberty Island. On the island, there is also a museum where visitors can see the statue’s original torch, which was used from 1886 until 1984.

Geography and access

The geography along the New Jersey banks of Upper New York Bay before landfilling. Liberty (Bedloe's) Island's location near New Jersey led to the state's attempts to assert jurisdiction.

Liberty Island is a small piece of land owned by the federal government, located in the Upper New York Bay. It is one of the islands that are part of the borough of Manhattan in New York, even though it sits in waters closer to Jersey City, New Jersey. Because of historical agreements between New York and New Jersey, Liberty Island is officially part of New York State, even though it is surrounded by New Jersey waters.

The island is home to the famous Statue of Liberty National Monument, and visitors can reach it by ferry from either Liberty State Park in Jersey City or the Battery in Lower Manhattan. While getting onto the island is free, there is a fee for the ferry ride because private boats cannot stop there. The ferries are operated by Statue City Cruises, which took over from Circle Line in 2007.

History

Liberty Island has a rich history dating back to the time of European settlers. Originally called Great Oyster Island, it was home to large oyster beds that provided food for the Lenape people. Dutch settlers later named it one of the Oyster Islands.

Coin-operated binoculars on Liberty Island. The island offers panoramic views of New York Harbor.

The island changed hands many times. It was once used as a quarantine station for people with illnesses. In the early 1800s, the U.S. government built Fort Wood on the island, a star-shaped fort to protect New York Harbor.

The island became famous when it was chosen as the home for the Statue of Liberty, a gift from France to celebrate the United States' 100th birthday. The statue was completed in 1884 in France, and after some delays, it was finally dedicated on October 28, 1886, by President Grover Cleveland. In 1956, Congress officially named the island "Liberty Island."

Museums

September 26, 1972: President Richard Nixon visits the statue to open the American Museum of Immigration. The statue's raised right foot is visible, showing that Liberty is depicted moving forward.

The American Museum of Immigration used to be on Liberty Island. It opened in 1972 but closed in 1991 when a new museum opened on Ellis Island.

The Statue of Liberty Museum opened in 2019. It holds the statue's original torch and shows how the statue was built. The museum was paid for by many generous donors and can welcome all the visitors to the island.