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Ellis Island Closed Until Further Notice
As of May 2013: Due to the conditions caused by Hurricane Sandy, the Ellis Island Immigration Museum will be closed until further notice. A projected reopening date has not yet been established, follow our twitter account for updates. More »
The Statue of Liberty as a Symbol
A souvenir plate
National Park Service, Statue of Liberty NM
Commemorative plate National Park Service, Statue of Liberty NM No visitor to New York City can leave without a souvenir commemorating their trip and mostly likely the motif on the souvenir will be the Statue of Liberty either alone or incorporated with other city landmarks. Souvenirs of New York City are often indistinguishable from souvenirs of the Statue of Liberty as illustrated by these two plates and numerous other souvenirs in the museum collection. The Statue of Liberty has a long history as a symbol of the United States and she graces the design of government issued postage stamps medals, awards and coins, such as the commemorative silver dollar silver designed and engraved by Don Nelson Everhart II and issued by the United States Mint in 2008. 
Commemorative coins featuring the Statue of Liberty c. 2008
National Park Service, Statue of Liberty NM
Commemorative coins featuring United States Presidents c. 2008
National Park Service, Statue of Liberty NM
Poster c. 1986 National Park Service, Statue of Liberty NM As a national symbol, the image of the Statue of Liberty becomes synonymous with the American ideals of equality, democracy and freedom, represented in the museum collection by numerous artifacts and works of art. 
World War I Commemorative of the 1915 sinking of the HMS Lusitania
National Park Service, Statue of Liberty NM
A World War I bond poster c. 1919 National Park Service, Statue of Liberty NM The museum collection includes examples of the symbolic use of the Statue's image in times of war. Items from World War I and World War II blatantly employed the Statue's image to inspire and generate continued support for the war effort. The Statue's image was depicted as the guardian and protector of the people of the United States and American ideals against various threats and ideologies. 
A political poster c. 1942
National Park Service, Statue of Liberty NM
Postcard, September 11, 2001 national park service, statue of liberty nm The image of the Statue of Liberty as a sword-carrying protector and guardian was repeated on items generated in response to the attack on September 11, 2001. |
Did You Know?
From 1910 to 1940, the Angel Island Immigration Station in San Francisco Bay processed approximately 1 million Asian immigrants entering into the US, leading to it sometimes being referred to as "The Ellis Island of the West". Due to the restrictions of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, many immigrants spent years on the island, waiting for entry. Access to the island is by private boat or public ferry from San Francisco, Tiburon or Vallejo. Ferry services are reduced during the winter. More...