How long has the Statue of Liberty torch been closed?

The torch has been closed since the Black Tom explosion of July 30, 1916, which was one of the largest acts of sabotage to our nation prior to the event of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Many people think they've been there and confuse it with climbing a spiral staircase which goes to the crown.



People Also Ask

Officials with the National Park Service and the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation said the torch was removed in 1984 because it was too badly damaged to restore.

MORE DETAILS

Since the Statue of Liberty was so close to Black Tom Island, the shrapnel from the explosion ended up damaging the torch, made of copper and glass. The damage was so severe that to this day, tourists are not permitted to climb into the torch.

MORE DETAILS

Lady Liberty's crown has officially reopened to the public this past Tuesday, October 11, after two years of closure, first announced NYC: The Official Guide.

MORE DETAILS

The arm and torch were closed to visitors in 1916 after German spies launched shrapnel into the statue as the result of an attack targeting the nearby Black Tom munitions depot. Black Tom Island has since become part of Liberty Island thanks to landfill expansion projects.

MORE DETAILS

Standing proud, exposed to the elements, the statue has to withstand around 600 lightning bolts every year and, in high winds, the torch can sway by about 5 inches side-to-side!

MORE DETAILS

Each ticket provides a different level of access to the landmark. If you want to go inside the Statue of Liberty, you must buy a Pedestal Access or Crown Access ticket. General Admission tickets do not get you access inside the statue.

MORE DETAILS

The National Park Service had gradually opened parts of the Statue of Liberty throughout the pandemic. The observation deck on the statue's pedestal reopened in July 2021, but the crown had been kept off limits until Tuesday.

MORE DETAILS

Known as the “Keeper of the Flame,” DeLeo was responsible for ensuring the light bulbs—some 22 stories up—were changed. He accomplished this every day, rain or wind or shine, so that when people see the statue they are left with a sense of hope. DeLeo believes this spirit embodies the best of what America offers.

MORE DETAILS

In the early days, the military opened the torch up to V.I.P. visitors, who would climb a 40-foot ladder into it and gaze onto New York Harbor from its ornate balcony.

MORE DETAILS

The copper which clads the Statue of Liberty has oxidized and turned green due to its exposure to the elements. This patina actually helps to protect the underlying copper cladding of the statue. If it was cleaned off, eventually the entire copper covering would be eaten away.

MORE DETAILS

You can find the original torch on display in the Statue of Liberty Museum. Tour Guide Tip: Today, the statue is visible at night due to a series of floodlights placed around Liberty Island and the balcony of the torch. These weren't installed until the 1950s!

MORE DETAILS

Visiting the crown of the Statue of Liberty is a rewarding activity. Due to its extreme popularity, tickets to the crown must be reserved prior to visiting. There are a limited number of crown tickets per day.

MORE DETAILS

The journey for the “little sister” has just begun: Following the footsteps of the original statue, it will board a ship at the port city of Le Havre on June 19 and reach New York on July 1. Its final destination will be Washington, DC, where it will be on display for 10 years at the French ambassador's residence.

MORE DETAILS

Statue of Liberty - a room inside the flame Yes, you read that right! There is a secret room here, which you unfortunately can't access. In 1916, the room in the torch had to be closed after an explosion (which was an act of sabotage committed by German agents during World War I).

MORE DETAILS

Water fountains are located in the lobby of the Statue of Liberty near the restrooms. Speaking of restrooms, the lobby facilities are the only ones located inside as well. So plan accordingly before you climb!

MORE DETAILS

The Statue of Liberty, a gift from the people of France, made its way to America on June 17, 1885. The French people, in honor of the alliance between the two countries during the American Revolution, presented the statue to recognize America as a champion of liberty and encourage the French to support the same ideals.

MORE DETAILS

An illustration of the presentation of the Statue to the U.S. Minister Levi Parsons Morton in Paris on July 4, 1881. The Statue of Liberty was a gift from the French people commemorating the alliance of France and the United States during the American Revolution.

MORE DETAILS