“The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World” is a gift that the French gave the Americans for their friendship. A magnificent structure, neoclassical in style, is located on Liberty Island in New York Harbour, a part of New York City. Made of copper, it was designed by Frederic Auguste Bartholdi – a French sculptor.
Gustave Eiffel built the metal framework. Some of it also constitutes wrought iron, steel, and gold. It was after knowing the ideals shared by Edouard Rene de Laboulaye (French politician and law professor) regarding U.S and France that Bartholdi came up with the idea and inspiration for building the statue. Bartholdi began the work in the early 1870s.
About The Statue Of Liberty
The National Park Service has maintained the statue since 1933 after being administered in 1901 by the United States Lighthouse Board. The Department of War took up this job after. The arm that bore the torch was put up for display at several expositions before it was placed in its current position. To know about the Statue of Liberty history, it is important to go through all the crucial chronicles.
In 1876, it was exhibited in Philadelphia at the Centennial Exposition as well as Manhattan at the Madison Square Garden for six years, from 1876 to 1882. Hosted by the president, Grover Cleveland, New York City’s first ticker-tape parade was organized to celebrate the completion of the statue.
The statue had a dull copper color at the start, but over the years it got covered with patina and now has a sea-green color. Although money was dished out to fix this, it was never really spent as it was inferred that it looks even more beautiful and that the patina doesn’t really pose any danger to the strength of the statue.
Widely worshipped by emancipated slaves in ancient Rome, the goddess of freedom, Liberta, was an important female icon that represented ideals of Liberty in America. Her picture was often used as an allegory by artists in the 18th and 19th centuries. One such example of this is the painting ‘Liberty Leading People’ by Eugene Delacroix. While the depiction of Liberty in the painting was that of a rather aggressive persona, Bartholdi opted for a more calm appearance.
He sculpted a torch as a symbol of progress. Instead of a pileus (shown in the painting), Bartholdi’s Liberty wears a crown and the seven rays forming an aureole around the crown and behind Liberty’s head is a depiction that is meant to exude the flourish of all the continents and the seven seas. The statue perhaps was meant to “enlighten the world”.
The Statue of Liberty is a significant monument in American culture. To answer the question, what does the Statue of Liberty represent, the statue symbolizes hope, progress and a promise of a better world governed by democratic principles of fraternity and liberty. A Greek immigrant said about the monument:
“I saw the Statue of Liberty. And I said to myself, “Lady, you’re such a beauty! [sic] You opened your arms and you get all the foreigners here. Give me a chance to prove that I am worth it, to do something, to be someone in America. And always that statue was on my mind.” These are some of the prominent Statue of Liberty facts, now let’s move on to the necessary details that you must know as a tourist.
Statue Of Liberty Timings And Entry Fees
The statue of Liberty is open to the general public and foreign tourists. It opens at 8:30 in the morning and closes at 4:00 in the afternoon. When getting inside the Statue of Liberty, you cannot enter the balcony in the torch, in the statue’s left hand for safety reasons.
To access the various levels in the statue, it is important to purchase a monument ticket. To get a ticket, you can either visit the website, statuecruises.com or call 1 877 LADY TIX. You will have to purchase a different ticket if you want to access the level in the statue’s crown.
It doesn’t cost any money to enter the premises of the Statue of Liberty, although you will have to pay a fee for the ferry that will take you to the Liberty Island, which is the Statue of Liberty location.
People usually visit the monument in the months from June to September. The island remains closed on Christmas Day. You can call (212) 363 3200, the park’s information line if there’s anything more you want to know.
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How To Reach The Statue of Liberty
After you’ve arrived at Liberty State Park or Battery Park, buy your Statue of Liberty crown tickets at the spot for the Statue of Liberty ferry if you don’t already have e-tickets. After heading over to the security check, you most probably have to wait in line. The lines are really long, for obvious reasons, so make sure you leave early if you have other things to do in New York City.
Tickets for children between the ages 4 to 12 cost $5; for people over 62, it’s $10; and $12 for those aged 13 and above. After you have boarded the ferry, you will see that it has three levels. The top level is obviously the best since it offers the most gorgeous views of the statue and the city.
It’s always crowded, so if you want to have the best view, then try to arrive early. The second level has stands selling beverages and food. All three levels have standing and sitting spaces. Get off at Liberty Island or stay in if you want to get a tour of the illustrious Ellis Island as well. You can explore the Liberty Island on the way back.
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Statue Of Liberty Facts
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Here is the interesting trivia about the world famous monument located in the United States of America that you should know.
- The waistline of the Statue of Liberty is 35 foot.
- The Statue of Liberty height from the bottom to the tip of the torch is 305 ft and 6 inches.
- The Statue of Liberty weighs is 225 tons.
- The seven rays in the crown signify each continent and each ray is 9 feet long.
- There are 154 steps from the pedestal to the head of the statue.
- The chains of the statue are symbolic of tyranny and oppression.
- The statue of Liberty face is 8ft tall.
- The Statue of Liberty torch is covered with the thin sheets of 24k gold.
Places To See Around Statue Of Liberty
Although the Statue of Liberty is quite a breathtaking attraction in itself, there are a lot of underrated places around this national monument that you must visit and explore as well.
1. Lower East Side Tenement Museum
Built in 1863, the Lower Eastside Tenement Museum is considered a National Trust Historic Site as well as a National Historic Landmark. Located in a culturally and historically significant tenement building that was home to several thousand immigrants from 1863 and 1935. The museum was built with the aim of shedding light on the importance of tolerance and experience of an immigrant in America.
Established in 1988, by Anita Jacobson and Ruth J. Abram, the museum has several exhibitions and tours for the public through the restored apartments, offering a glimpse into the lives of the immigrants who spent their lives on 97Orchard Street.
Address: 103 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002, USA
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2. Thomas Edison National Historical Park
Designed by Henry Hudson Holly in 1887, the Thomas Edison National Historical Park offers an exploration of the genius’ home and laboratory that has revolutionized our modern lives. It offers a glimpse into the other inventions by Thomas Edison apart from the light bulb.
Edison holds over a thousand patents for his inventions, some of which are the nickel-iron alkaline electric storage battery, sound recording, improved photographs, picture cameras, and the silent as well as sound movies.
Address: 211 Main St, West Orange, NJ 07052, USA
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3. Gateway National Recreation Area
Comprising three parks, Sandy Hook, Jamaica Bay, and Staten Island, the Gateway National Recreation Area spans around 26,607 acres and is a portrait of sorts of the history and evolution of structures in the United States such as former airports and historical forts.
The illustrious Sandy Hook Lighthouse is also situated in this recreation area. The lighthouse was first lit in 1764. Other recreational activities that one can engage in here are camping, swimming in the ocean, hiking, boating, and bird watching.
Address: 26 Hudson Rd, Highlands, NJ 07732, USA
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4. Castle Clinton National Monument
Initially called Castle Garden, Fort Clinton or Castle Clinton was opened in 1808. It is considered as the first station in America where the immigrants arrived. It is believed that from 1855 to 1890, over 8 million people came to the United States of America.
A circular fort made of sandstone, it has served various purposes as a public aquarium, exhibition hall, theatre, and a sprawling beer garden before being considered a national monument. This site has had quite a long and illustrious history. It is a spectacle as it’s known for its 19th-century style architecture.
Address: Battery Park, New York, NY 10004, USA
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5. Federal Hall National Monument
The structure that was situated on this site originally served as New York’s City Hall from 1699 to 1703. A historical venue where the 1st president of America, George Washington, took his oath, the Federal Hall has gone on to house the offices of the Supreme Court, the Executive Branch, and the Congress over the years.
It was initially a Customs House. It now houses a museum and also serves as a memorial site for the inception of the American government. It is an excellent example of neoclassical architecture which was redeveloped by Pierre Charles L’Enfant, in 1788. It is also a prime example of Federal Style Architecture.
Address: 26 Wall St, New York, NY 10005, USA
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For all its glory and beauty, the Statue of Liberty and the stunning monuments and museums it is surrounded by, have drawn in lots of curious visitors over the years to marvel at its architectural and cultural significance. To make your trip to USA worthwhile, make sure you keep the list mentioned above handy!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Statue of Liberty
Who is the Statue of Liberty modeled after?
It was modeled after an Arab woman by the designer Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi as he was fascinated by the Egyptian pyramids.
Was the Statue of Liberty a gift?
Yes, the Statue of Liberty was a gift from the people of France to America during the time of the American Revolution.
Why did the French give us the Statue of Liberty?
It was gifted by the people of France to America to commemorate the alliance of France with the USA.
What God is the Statue of Liberty?
It is a Roman Goddess Libertas. statue of liberty meaning is a break from tyranny and oppression.
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