Grand Opening of the Statue of Liberty Museum in NYC

Prepare to let freedom ring at the new Statue of Liberty Museum! The 26,000-square-foot museum celebrates the Statue of Liberty’s history, influence, and legacy in the world opens to the public on the afternoon of Thursday, May 16. The Statue of Liberty Museum adds to the experience of the island’s 4.5 million annual visitors, regardless of age or nationality, spreading the story of her creation and significance. The centerpiece is the display of the Statue of Liberty’s original torch—a universal symbol of enlightenment—that was previously located inside the base of the pedestal.

The Immersive Theater

The museum features many engaging and interactive elements throughout and is enthralling for kids of all ages. The galleries inspire visitors and educate them about the Statue of Liberty in interactive and thought-provoking ways. We began our experience in the Immersive Theater, a panoramic, powerful, multimedia experience that surrounds visitors in the sweeping story of the Statue and the ideal she represents. My kids were mesmerized as we watched the three segments (each in its own theater and lasting approximately 8-10 minutes total). We were weaving through the soaring theater space, learning the rich story of the Statue’s origins and meaning past, present, and future.

Engagement Gallery

Next, we were in the Engagement Gallery where visitors explore what took place in the warehouse where Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi built the Statue. A series of multimedia displays evoke the feeling of being in the sculptor’s studio, allowing guests to see the step-by-step process of Liberty’s construction, from small plaster model to the copper sheets pounded on massive negative molds to create the Statue’s final form. The highlight for the little ones is the full-scale copper molds of Lady Liberty’s foot. Visitors are encouraged to touch and explore it. My little lady had fun measuring up and seeing that she is the same size as Lady Liberty’s big toe! It is toe-tally fascinating! We enjoyed exploring and learning through artifacts, graphics, and interactive media.

Inspiration Gallery

Then we went to the Inspiration Gallery where visitors can reflect upon what they have seen and experienced in the museum. Using an interactive floor to ceiling digital interface, we were invited to document our visit and express our views by adding a self-portrait and curating a photo collage of inspirational images about what liberty means to each of us. We delighted in selecting our images and words and watching as they are integrated into the stunning and ever-growing digital experience called Becoming Liberty.

There is also a stunning, copper model of Lady Liberty’s face with a sign telling you to please feel free to touch the face so some little ones were giving her kisses and while yet others were trying to fit up her nose. The tour culminates with an up-close view of Liberty’s most iconic symbol – her original torch – held high for nearly 100 years and still a touchstone of the light Liberty shines from generation to generation.

At one point my littlest lady plopped down on a bench and was gazing happily out from the floor-to-ceiling glass walls that boast breathtaking views of the Statue of Liberty herself and the city skyline. Up on the roof, merging landscape and building, there are native meadow grasses and sweeping, panoramic views of Lady Liberty, lower Manhattan, and all of New York Harbor. The new museum adds a whole new educational, interactive, and fun dimension to a requisite to Liberty Island. Families will be exhilarated!

The new museum is part of a $100 million Liberty Island-wide beautification effort that’s being funded by the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, led by campaign chairperson Diane von Furstenberg. The museum was designed by architecture firm FXCollaborative with exhibits created by experience design firm ESI Design. The structure was built by Phelps Construction Group. SBI Consultants served as the owner’s representative coordinating activities among all stakeholders.

Access to the museum is free with the purchase of a ferry ticket to Liberty and Ellis Islands. If you take any Statue Cruise boat, you disembark onto Liberty Island and the museum is one of the first buildings you encounter on the island. Tickets start at $9 for children ages 4-12, $18.50 for adults, and $14 for seniors. Children under 4 are free. Tickets include access to the ground of Liberty Island and Ellis Island and audio tours of both are included. The length of the visit and experience would vary by age. Younger ones may walk through and be done in 20-30 minutes whereas older children can easily enjoy an hour or more of fun.

For more information about the Statue of Liberty Museum or visiting Liberty Island go to statueoflibertymuseum.org and follow the Foundation on social media at Facebook/StatueEllisFnd, Twitter @StatueEllisFdn, and Instagram @StatueEllisFdn.

Jana Beauchamp is a Manhattan writer and mom of two

New York Society of Play Summer Camp and Classes

Summer Game Camp There are many who do not feel safe sending their children back out into the world with summer camp, this year. To serve those parents and keep the children connected and stimulated during this challenging time, we are offering NYSP Digital Summer Camp. The name of the game with NYSP Summer Camp is community. We have made a large effort to make our camp feel like a living space, with features including &ndash; - Role-Playing games familiar and new, led by our master storytellers! - Enriching electives such as Chess, World Building, Character Acting, Crafts, Drawing, and more! - Discussion and media screening rooms during lunch! - A digital campus! - Moderated chat hours! &nbsp; Join us for a summer of games, friends, and more! Mon - Fri 10am - 2:30pm &nbsp; Roleplay Expeditions: Dungeons &amp; Dragons No experience is required to join one of our Dungeons &amp; Dragons games. Our game masters have pre-made character sheets, so you'll be able to start playing the game right away! We adapt the rules of traditional Dungeons &amp; Dragons to make them more approachable to children of various ages. Battle in dungeons, search for relics, and make new friends in our one-of-a-kind Dungeons &amp; Dragons workshop!&nbsp; &nbsp; Public games meet once per week, with different groups every time. Private games meet 1 to 2 times per week with the same group of kids. Since the players and the storyteller in the group are consistent, this enables us to tell epic tales of adventure together! &nbsp; Dungeons &amp; Dragons Junior No experience is required to join one of our drop-in Dungeons &amp; Dragons games. Our Dungeons &amp; Dragons Jr. game provides a D&amp;D storytelling experience without character sheets. Battle in dungeons, search for relics, and make new friends in our one-of-a-kind Dungeons &amp; Dragons workshop! A great way to introduce young children to D&amp;D so they can eventually move onto the main game.

Dance Workshop - NY

Nestled in the heart of the UES, Dance Workshop is a community-focused studio committed to dance education in a loving and safe environment. Dance Workshop offers Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Hip-Hop, Musical Theatre and Acro for ages 2+. They also offer a Pre-Professional Company track for dancers interested in taking their technique to the next level. Trial classes may be scheduled with the studio at the start of the season. Dance with Dance Workshop! MaryAnn Grasso founded Dance Workshop in 1979. Her daughter Nanci later joined her at the helm and in 2016 established Dance Workshop on the Upper East Side of NYC. MaryAnn and Nanci have devoted their lives to dance education, community and the development of children; raising dancers and sound human beings alike. Dance Workshop has seen thousands of dancers pass through the doors. They believe dance has the power to elevate and change lives!

The School at the Mark Morris Dance Center

The School at the Mark Morris Dance Center offers year-round, community-based dance and music programming in a fully inclusive and nurturing environment, located in the heart of the Brooklyn Cultural District. The School&rsquo;s diverse and professional faculty provides progressive and non-competitive instruction with all of our classes accompanied by live music. Though we are a non-recital school, there are opportunities for students to perform and for parents to see their dancers in action.