Brad Hakeman, CSWE

There is a rare view of the Statue of Liberty from the balcony on its torch. However, this entrance has been closed since 1916. The ban originated 104 years ago, precisely on July 30, 1916, when an explosion on Black Tom Island in New York Harbor caused widespread destruction. The blast, which could be heard from miles away, shattered glass windows in Manhattan and tragically claimed the lives of seven individuals. Black Tom Island was a crucial hub for producing armaments destined for shipment to Europe, primarily to support Britain and France during World War I, even though the United States maintained its neutrality at the time. As a result of the explosion, shrapnel struck the nearby Statue of Liberty, leading to the closure of the torch and preventing access to future visitors. While the National Park Service's Statue of Liberty website attributes the closure to the Black Tom explosion, it remains unclear why, even a century later, guests are still prohibited from entering the torch area.