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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 »
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NOTE: As of April 2013, Ellis Island is still closed to the public, Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island General Information: News and Media Contact: 786-385-0067 (note this is a mobile phone). Trip Planning For information about ferry tickets, schedules, cancellations and other trip planning items related to traveling to and from the island, please visit www.statuecruises.com. Fact Sheets Ellis Island Fact Sheet Visit All the National Parks of New York For all the news of National Parks of New York Harbor, visit their news room or their website at www.nps.gov/npnh 
The crews are hard at work fixing and restoring our main dock for the re-opening on July 4th, 2013. Kevin Daley NPS Statue of Liberty to Reopen by July 4th Repairs Progressing on Docks, Energy Infrastructure, and other Facilities Damaged by Hurricane Sandy
NEW YORK, NY- Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced that the National Park Service expects to reopen the Statue of Liberty to visitors by July 4, 2013, after repairing the extensive damage to Liberty Island caused by Hurricane Sandy. "Hurricane Sandy inflicted major damage on facilities that support the Statue of Liberty - destroying the docks, crippling the energy infrastructure on Ellis Island and wiping out the security screening system - but we are fully committed to reopening this crown jewel as soon as it's safe for visitors and not a second later," Secretary Salazar said. "Based on the tremendous progress we have made, Lady Liberty will be open to the public in time for the July 4th celebration." "July Fourth is the perfect day to reopen a symbol of our nation's freedom, and speaks volumes about New York's resilience," said Senator Charles E. Schumer. "Lady Liberty was hit hard by Superstorm Sandy, but just like New York, she will be back - and stronger than ever. Being open for the summer tourism season isn't just important symbolically, it's a boon to the city's economy and businesses, as the statue attracts millions of tourists from all over the world to our shores. I thank Secretary Salazar for his extraordinary work - he was uncommonly focused on getting this job done, and the people of New York appreciate it." "My close friend and former colleague Secretary Salazar has been a true leader in protecting and showcasing Lady Liberty," said Senator Robert Menendez. "We worked together to address safety and security concerns to reopen the crown and now he has helped bring this national treasure back after Superstorm Sandy. The Statue of Liberty will stand as a symbol of the whole region rebuilding even better and stronger after the storm." Salazar emphasized the importance of reopening the Statue to the New York economy. An annual report released last month by the National Park Service showed that 3.7 million people visited the park in 2011, generating $174 million in economic activity and supporting 2,218 jobs. "Across the country, our national parks are economic engines for local communities, with visitor spending providing a $30 billion benefit to the economy," said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. "By moving forward quickly with the repairs at the Statue of Liberty, we are giving a boost to communities here in New York who have been so badly hurt by Hurricane Sandy." Repairs to the docks needed to transport visitors to Liberty Island are being funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Lands Highways Program, as part of $28 million committed to roads and bridges in federal parks and recreation areas in New York and New Jersey damaged by Hurricane Sandy. Three days after taking office, Salazar visited the Statue of Liberty in January 2009 to announce that the crown, which had been closed following the terrorist attacks of 9/11, would be re-opened to the public by the following July 4th. "I fully expect that once again we will meet the July 4th deadline to reopen Lady Liberty, thanks to the commitment and hard work of the National Park Service staff, the Department of Transportation, and our many local and state partners," Salazar said. "As we rebuild the region, we will do so in a way that makes New York and New Jersey stronger, safer and more resilient than ever before." 
A high school student takes careful measurements and notes so that his BOCES class can make replicas of the historic benches at Ellis Island. NPS Photo Kevin Daley In the News: January 2011 Kids Make Benchmarks at Ellis Island High School students with New York State's Greater Southern Tier (GST) Distance Learning Program are making real connections with Ellis Island. The students and their teachers are making "replicas" of historic benches, not only to learn how to build the benches but to build upon their knowledge of immigration history as well. Read more... |
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Did You Know?
Ellis Island's south side contains 25 buildings that are mostly unrestored. These structures included general hospitals, isolation and psychiatric facilities for immigrants needing treatment or isolation. The U.S. Public Health Service staffed these facilities during the station's operation. More...