Many people may not realize that the Statue of Liberty’s torch was once open to the public.
Originally built in France, the iconic statue was shipped to New York in June of 1885 and has stood there ever since.
Designed by Edouard de Laboulaye, the Statue of Liberty was gifted to the United States to celebrate the country’s centennial of independence and its friendship with France, according to the National Park Service.
Today, visitors can book tickets to climb up the statue and enjoy breathtaking views of New York City. However, there was a time when people could also ascend to the torch itself to take in even more spectacular panoramic views.
The torch has been off-limits to the public since 1916, with only National Park Service staff allowed access to maintain the floodlights that illuminate it.
The closure followed the ‘Black Tom’ explosion on July 30, 1916. The explosion, carried out by German agents on Black Tom Island in New York Harbor, caused significant damage to the statue’s arm and torch, the most delicate parts of the iconic monument.
Since then, the torch has remained closed to the public, so many have never experienced the view from there firsthand. However, the National Park Service has set up cameras in the area, allowing people to still see the stunning views remotely.
Through the EarthCam website, people can watch live streams of the torch, crown, the statue itself, Ellis Island, and the surrounding harbor.
Photos of the statue, which is not actually green, have been widely shared online, often leaving viewers surprised by the real color and unique perspectives.
One person tweeted, “Wow… First time I’m seeing it from this view.” Another commented, “Fascinating history for real,” while a third simply said, “Wow.”
One individual even described the top shot of the statue as their “favorite photo of the statue.”
Others expressed disappointment that the torch remains closed to the public.
One person said, “I never knew they had a balcony up there, it’s a shame it’s been closed! It must be a beautiful view from up there!”
Another asked, “Why won’t they reopen it?”
Unfortunately, it seems there are no current plans to reopen the torch to the public.
