Statue of Liberty Island & Ellis Island Tour

The Statue of Liberty is much more than a just a monument. The statue is a symbol of freedom to people all over the world. The Statue of Liberty exhibits are a tribute to not only the wonderful people who were responsible for her creation but also to all those constructed her and funded the construction. They are a tribute to the values represented by her, and the hope she instills in people all around the globe.

If there is one thing that can be said about the story of the Statue of Liberty, it is definitely a story of change. After the installation of “The New Colossus” on a plate in the pedestal in the year 1903, the importance of Lady Liberty increased as she became a source of inspiration to immigrants who encountered her as they made their way to America. The Statue was kept on a pedestal made of granite inside the courtyard of Fort Wood.

Until the year of 1901, The United States Lighthouse Board was responsible for the operation of the Statue of Liberty, after which the responsibility was granted to the War Department. Fort Wood and the Statue of Liberty that was present inside was declared to be a National Monument by a Presidential Proclamation in 1924. The boundary of the monument boundary was decided to be the outermost edge of Fort Wood. The responsibility for the administration and care of the Statue of Liberty was changed yet again in the year 1933. It was given to the National Park Service. The government wanted to enlarge the jurisdiction of the Statue of Liberty. It was increased to contain the entirety of Bedloe’s Island. The island’s name was eventually changed to Liberty Island in the year 1956. Nine years later, Ellis Island was also moved to the service of the National Park, and henceforth became a part of the National Monument. Ellis Island has been the host to the museum of immigration since the year 1990.

The ferries depart from two places - Battery Park in New York and the Liberty State Park in New Jersey. You can kick-start your tour by hopping on to the ferry at any of the starting points. So, in case you are unable to book tickets at one departure point, you could always try the other. You could also consider buying Flex tickets that can be purchased on reaching any of the mentioned departure points.

Feel free to network with all the new people you meet on your boat. You will be taken to the Ellis Island that is located in upper New York City Bay. The museum there will take you straight back to the 19th century; an age where immigrants continuously filtered into the States, becoming a vital part of the fabric of the country and its economy.

Once you have spent a considerable amount of time at the museum, you can proceed to the famous Statue of Liberty. You can spend as much time as you please here and click photos. You could also read about the history of the Statue and understand its significance as a Universal Symbol of Freedom. A ferry will be waiting to take you back to your starting point, thus ending your tour.