On One Year Anniversary of Reopening of Lady Liberty's Crown

Press Release

Nearly one year after the reopening of the crown in the Statue of Liberty, Rep. Anthony Weiner (D -- Brooklyn and Queens) released new data highlighting a rise in tourism to one of the country's most iconic attractions. Since the crown reopened on July 4, 2009 through last month, Lady Liberty saw 313,222 additional visitors, or nearly a 10% increase in tourism, as compared to the previous year when the crown was closed.

Following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the Statue of Liberty closed its doors to all visitors. It was not until 2004 that tourists were allowed back and permitted to visit the statue's pedestal. However, due to bureaucratic foot dragging and fears of another terrorist attack, the statue's crown remained closed.

Weiner was the leading Congressional voice to reopen the crown, passing legislation to fund the reopening and holding hearings to force the Department of Interior to allow visitors to return. Finally the crown reopened on July 4, 2009, allowing in only reserved ticket holders. Since then tickets have sold out every single day and nearly 85,000 visitors have trekked up to our Lady Liberty's crown.

"It's a wonderful sign for New York's economy and for our national pride that the crown reopening has reinvigorated tourism to our nation's most cherished and symbolic landmark," Weiner said. "I am thrilled that this sad chapter in the history of the Statue of Liberty is closed. After all - why visit the crown jewel of New York without visiting the crown itself?"

Tourism to Lady Liberty booms after crown opens

*Since the crown reopened on July 4, 2009 through last month, Lady Liberty saw 313,222 additional visitors, or nearly a 10% increase in tourism, as compared to the previous year when the crown was closed.

*The Statue of Liberty saw an increase in visitors in nearly every month since the crown reopened, including last month which saw a whopping 38.99% increase from the previous year.

*The only month that saw a decrease in 2009 was February, which had record snowfall in New York City.

*To date about 85,000 visitors have been to the crown and tickets have been sold out every single day.

Source