We Welcome A New Immigrant to Our Shores

On June 19th, 1885 a now famous lady arrived in New York Harbor for the first time. She didn't have much of a view, packed as she was in 24 shipping crates and 350 separated pieces - but she would soon be assembled into America's symbol of hope and freedom.

 A gift of friendship from the French people created by sculptor Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi, her full name is Liberty Enlightening the World (La liberté éclairant le monde, in French). Alexandre Gustave Eiffel, best known for his tower, was the engineer who designed her internal stucture.  Liberty Enlightening The World was gifted to celebrate the centennial anniversary of America's Independence. 

She arrived on Bedloe's Island (later renamed Liberty Island) in her crates, and it took four months to assemble her there again.  She was placed upon a pedestal that was constructed with donations from the American people - including schoolchildren who sent in their pennies. 

The seven spikes of her crown represent the seven seas and continents. At her feet are broken shackles,  which symbolize freedom from oppression and tyrany.  The tablet she holds is inscribed with the date of American Independence - July 4th, 1776.  Her torch is a symbol of enlightenment-  and once was used as an actual lighthouse for the harbor from 1886 to 1902. In 1903, a sonnet called The New Colossus was added to her pedestal - and it is this now famous poem that often comes to mind when we think of Liberty. 

Liberty's stand in the harbor has not always been peaceful, however. In 1916, more than $100,000 worth of damage occurred when the statue was riddled with shrapnel from the Black Tom explosion. The same year, the torch was modified by the sculptor who created Mount Rushmore. He cut away most of the original copper, and put in glass panes and an internal light. Unfortunately, this caused leaks in the rain and snow which accelerated corrosion within the statue. 

By 1984, the statue was in bad shape and needed some extensive repairs. Liberty underwent a $62 million dollar facelift in which each of her 1,350 iron ribs were replaced with stainless steel. The new ribs were coated in Teflon to keep their contact with Liberty's copper skin from causing any future corrosion. The internal structure of her right arm was reworked, to ensure that she would hold her torch proudly for generations to come.

It was our great pleasure to be able to visit the statue of Liberty during our recent trip to north Jersey in April.  We felt humble in the presence of such a great lady, and amazed by the great diversity of people who came to see her still today. Some two hundred and twenty odd years after her arrival on America shores, she continues to inspire all who see her. What a great Lady! 

For More information: 

Statue of Liberty arrival (America's Library)
Statue of Liberty on Wikipedia
Statue of Liberty National Monument