We brought Lady Liberty’s story out from the pedestal and into full view.
When the National Park Service and the Statue of Liberty–Ellis Island Foundation set out to make the Lady Liberty story more accessible, they created a new 15,000 sq ft museum—designed by ESI and executed by Kubik Maltbie alongside FXCollaborative. This was the first major expansion on Liberty Island in over three decades.
A Museum That Opens the Story.
Locked inside the statue’s pedestal while the torch was restored, the original exhibit was inaccessible to 80% of visitors.The new museum changes that:
- Entry Gallery & Orientation Theatre – Welcoming guests with cinematic storytelling and sweeping views of Lady Liberty and the Manhattan skyline.
- Interactive Exhibition Zones – Visitors can explore detailed models, replica fragments, and engaging media that trace the statue’s design, engineering, and cultural legacy.
- Bartholdi’s Workshop – A life-size studio recreation lets guests step into the creative space of the statue’s sculptor.
- Donor Recognition Wall – A dramatic, star-lit installation celebrates supporters with elegance and respect.
Kubik Maltbie’s Role in Bringing Liberty to Life.
- Design Development – With the museum still in scripting stages, our team prototyped displays, mocked up interactive zones, and planned fabrication before final content was finalized.
- Precision Fabrication – From detailed scenic installations and slatted theater walls to architectural surfaces and workshop recreations, everything was built with museum-grade accuracy.
- Technical Integration – Working alongside exhibit media integrators and AV contractors, we wove screens, lighting, and touchpoints seamlessly into custom-built environments.
- Controlled Installation – Deliveries arrived via barge or park ferry; we managed crane access, staged onsite installation across tight timelines, and coordinated daily signage and traffic with park authorities.
Key Story Elements.
- Expanded access to Lady Liberty’s history through intentional museum design
- Collaborative, phase-aware design and build within a tight, live-site schedule
- Seamless integration of AV, lighting, and media in atmospheric scenic environments
- Museum-quality fabrication of interactive spaces like Bartholdi’s Workshop and the Donor Wall
The Statue of Liberty Museum stands as a living tribute to collaboration—between nations and partners alike—and a bold example of how architectural environments can elevate both narrative and visitor experience. Kubik’s fabrication and installation expertise helped make it possible.