Liberty Island was originally named Bedloe’s Island. Prior to the American Revolution it was used as a smallpox quarantine station. In 1800 it was transferred to the federal government for the construction of a fort that would later be named Fort Wood.

The walls of the 11 point star shaped fort are what surrounds the Statue of Liberty today. In the 1880’s Bedloe Island was identified as the location of the Statue of Liberty. The Island was renamed Liberty Island by President Roosevelt in 1956.

When on a Statue of Liberty tour, your boat will dock in one of two ferry slips on the southwestern side of the island.

An audio tour is included with your ticket. You can pick that up at this stand not far from the dock.

This is an overview of the island. On the right side you can get a good look at the shape of the former Fort Wood.

Three times a day they have ranger led tours that meet at this flag pole. If I had more time to dedicate to the island, I would definitely check it out. But the first tour isn’t until noon and I have a ticket for the 2pm Hamilton show.

This is the back entrance to the gift shop. There is also an entrance by the ferry dock.

The concessions weren’t open when I arrived arrived at 10:15am. But they were open the next time I walked by.

Concessions were open when I walked by at 10:35 so it looks like they open at 10:30.

They have lockers right next to the entrance to the statue. I didn’t quite understand the operation of the locker. Maybe I had a broken one. But you could open and close it without putting any money in. They have keys that you take with you. I put a quarter in.

When I retrieved my items the quarter was right there inside where you could take it. I didn’t know what you were supposed to do so I left my quarter there. But anyone could’ve walked up and grabbed it. Make sure you bring cash for this. They do have a change machine.

Here are the locker instructions. When I opened the door, my quarter was sitting there.

As I mentioned this Island was home to Fort Wood in the 1800’s. This is a little bit of history about the fort.

They are currently working on restoring the walls of Fort Wood.

Next to the statue are sculptures of five individuals who played a large part in the creation of the statue.

That is one of the boats that transports you to and from the island.

They have vendors that will sell pictures of you in front of the statue.

This is the flag pole again where the ranger led tours meet. Those tours are at 12, 1, and 3pm.

There is a Statue of Liberty museum behind the statue and a good view point on top of it. 

This museum just opened in 2019. I feel fortunate that I’m not one of the people who came before the museum opened so I get to see it without making a second trip.

These are the views from on top of the museum.

Ellis Island.

Manhattan.

I happened to catch a duck family as well.

Let’s check out the museum. This is actually the exit. I’m going to walk around to the front.

They have an information booth and a theater which shows a video on the Statue of Liberty.

 

Definitely the coolest thing about this museum is the original torch from the statue.

At one point in time you could actually take a staircase up the arm and stand out on the torch. Now the crown is the highest you are allowed to go, which is what I am going to do.

Since it was made from copper, this is how the statue’s face would’ve looked originally.

This is where you enter the statue. If you have a crown ticket with an assigned time, they are very strict about it. Next time we go to the crown.