After the attacks, the statue and island had been closed to visitors, and was being upgraded to adhere to greater security procedures including additional fire exits.

By December 2001, the island reopened, but only for visitors to explore around the base of the statue, with the interior spaces off-limits.

When the pedestal reopened in 2004, there were modifications for visitors to explore the museum displays and the interior of the pedestal and to view the statue through a piece of glass blocking the entrance to the statue itself.

The pedestal was America's contribution to display the gift of the statue from France, and was completed in 1886 after a lengthy fundraising process and one year after the statue arrived in the city.