Located in southern Lower Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty is among the world’s iconic landmarks and one of the top tourist destinations in the United States. As one of the must-see attractions in New York City, it is also known as Liberty Enlightening the World, America’s Freedom, and Mother of Freedom. More than 3.5 million people come to witness this magnificent statue every year.
We’ve seen it everywhere – from movie settings to comics and books. A picture of New York won’t be complete without the Statue of Liberty in it.
So, why is this statue incredibly famous and important to New York?
In this article, I dig deep into the top 19 frequently asked questions to get facts about the Statue of Liberty. On top of that, I also share how to get to the statue and how to enjoy it. Read on to learn more.
Overview of the Statue of Liberty
Why Was the Statue of Liberty Built? What Does the Statue of Liberty Stand For?
You may be wondering – what does the Statue of Liberty represent? During the American Revolution, the Statue of Liberty was given by France as a gift of friendship to the United States. It is a commemoration of the two country’s friendship and the centennial of the Declaration of Independence.
It was Édouard de Laboulaye, a French anti-slavery activist and politician, who suggested creating a monumental gift for the United States. With this idea, he believed that it would also become a symbol of hope for French liberals who fought for democracy.
When Was the Statue of Liberty Built?
France completed the construction of the Statue of Liberty in 1884 after nine years of construction, between 1875 and 1884.
The statue was delivered to the United States and took more months to reconstruct and reassemble. It was established on October 28, 1886, and was opened to the public on the same day.
How Long Did It Take To Build the Statue of Liberty?
It took nine long years to complete its construction in France. However, the overall time including transferring and reassembling in the United States lasted from September 1875 to 1886, which is 11 years in total.
How Was the Statue of Liberty Built?
A 1:16 scale was created to make divisions for the plaster model. From the plaster model to its final frame structure, it used a wooden base where workers hammered approximately 3 mm thick copper sheets to follow its shape. In addition, it also has four massive steel supports.
About 300 copper sheets were used for the statue’s outer layer. Copper was the best option than bronze to have a lighter structure. Overall, 31 tons of copper and 125 tons of steel were used to create the statue.
Where Is the Statue of Liberty Located? What Island Is the Statue of Liberty On?
The Statue of Liberty is located at the southern end of Manhattan on Liberty Island in the Upper New York Bay. It is near the Financial District, which is the home of Wall Street and one of the most historic neighborhoods in Manhattan.
How Did the Statue of Liberty Get Here?
The parts of the statue were packed in 214 wooden containers and were carried by the Isère French ship. It arrived in the United States on June 17, 1885, and was reassembled in 1886 on Liberty Island.
What River Is the Statue of Liberty On?
The Statue of Liberty is in the New York Harbor or the Upper New York Bay where the Hudson River flows to. The Upper New York Bay is bordered by Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Staten Island.
Who Designed the Statue of Liberty?
The French sculptor and painter behind the design of the Statue of Liberty was Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi. His design incorporated symbolism into the statue through the seven-pointed crown, the inscribed tablet, the giant torch, and broken shackles.
Bartholdi created the seven-pointed crown to represent the seven continents and seven seas; the inscribed tablet with Roman numerals MDCCLXXVI (July 4, 1776) to show the Independence day of the United States; the broken shackles to represent freedom; and the giant torch for enlightenment.
Another important contributor was Gustave Eiffel, a French civil engineer who designed the metal framework of the statue. He is also best known for his work on the Eiffel Tower.
Who Owns the Statue of Liberty?
The governing body responsible for the statue is the National Park Service, a US federal government agency that governs national parks, monuments, natural, and historical landmarks.
In terms of location, since it is located on Liberty Island, the statue is within the territorial jurisdiction of the state of New York.
Fun Facts about the Statue of Liberty
Is the Statue of Liberty Made Out of Copper?
Yes, the Statue of Liberty is made from layers of pure copper sheets that are about 2 to 3 mm thick. As for the flame of the torch, it is coated in gold sheets instead of copper, making it shine even brighter. Since it is made of copper, the statue has naturally oxidized and turned to patina green.
How Much Is the Statue of Liberty Worth?
The overall metal framework, steel, and copper sheets amount to about $230,000 which was covered by France. The iron frame costs about $30,000, while the copper sheets are approximately $200,000 all in all. As for the 154-ft pedestal, it costs about $270,000 which was funded by the Americans.
How Many Floors Is the Statue of Liberty?
Although the Statue of Liberty doesn’t have floors, it can be best compared to a 22-floor building. It has a total of 354 steps to climb up to the crown where you can look through the 25 windows.
How Tall Is the Statue of Liberty?
The height varies depending on where you are counting. The height of the statue itself is approximately 151 ft or 46 m tall. From the pedestal to the tip of the torch, the total height is 305 ft-1 in or 93 m. From the top of the head to the heel measure 111 ft-1 in or 34 m.
What Is the Weight of the Statue of Liberty?
The total weight of the statue is approximately 450,000 pounds or 225 tons which includes all parts of the statue. In more detail, the total weight of the copper used is about 62,000 pounds or 31 tons, the steel is about 250,000 pounds or 125 tons, and the concrete foundation weighs 54,000,000 pounds. The other parts that contribute to the weight are the seven-pointed rays of the crown, which weigh about 150 pounds each, and the fingernails, which are 3.5 pounds each.
The Statue of Liberty Was Originally Intended for Which Country?
Did you know that the Statue of Liberty was originally designed for Egypt’s Suez Canal? The original design was supposed to be with a colossal woman wearing the clothes of a fellah (Egyptian peasant) while holding a lamp to serve as a light for the Suez Canal.
Was the Statue of Liberty Built in France?
Yes, the entire statue was built and assembled in Paris, France, while the pedestal was constructed in the United States.
Get Statue of Liberty Tickets
Can You Go Inside the Statue of Liberty?
Yes! Visitors can access the grounds of Liberty Island and Ellis Island, the pedestal, and the crown. To get access to each area, you need to purchase a ticket according to your category. Here are the tickets available.
FERRY
- Adult- $24.00
- Senior – $18.00
- Children – $12.00
PEDESTAL ONLY
- Adult- $24.30
- Senior – $18.30
- Children – $12.30
CROWN
- Adult- $23.80
- Senior – $18.30
- Children – $12.30
- Children under 4 – Restricted
ELLIS HARD HAT TOURS
- Adult- + $50
- Senior – + $50
- Children – Restricted
- Children under 4 – Restricted
As of 2022, the Statue of Liberty is undergoing a Phased Reopening process. Thus, not all areas are open to the public due to the pandemic regulations. The only attractions that are currently closed are the crown and Liberty Island Information Center.
The information center is only available for emergency purposes. So when will the Statue of Liberty Crown reopen 2022? There are still no announcements as to when it will open for access again. For now, just enjoy the pedestal, the ground areas, and the ferry to experience the best of the Statue of Liberty.
Going to the Statue of Liberty
To reach Liberty Island, you need to ride a ferry operated by Statue City Cruises. It is the only authorized cruise by the National Park Service, so make sure to buy tickets from them. The ferries depart from two locations: Battery Park in Lower Manhattan and Liberty State Park in New Jersey.
You can reach Battery Park by bus or subway. By bus, take the M5, M15, and M20 bus lines and drop off at South Ferry. By subway, take 4 and 5 lines going to Bowling Green, R train line going to Whitehall Street, and 1 line going to South Ferry Station.
For those going to Liberty State Park in New Jersey, you can use the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail and drop off at Liberty State Park station. If you are traveling via PATH Train or NJ Transit, you can still easily transfer to the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail to reach Liberty State Park Station.
Things to Do at the Statue of Liberty
Aside from the most-awaited crown, visitors can enjoy the statue’s numerous exhibits and museums to learn more about it. For instance, the pedestal has the Statue of Liberty Exhibit on the second floor and the Torch Exhibit.
It is filled with photographs, exhibits, and videos explaining the history of the construction and flame of the statue.
You can also view a replica of the foot and face here. Moreover, it has an observation deck where you can get an astonishing view of the New York City skyline and harbor.
When you go to the Visitor Information Station, it is where you can get brochures, maps, guides, and many more. If you enjoy audio tours, you can take one at Liberty Island and listen to educational information about the key attractions.
Attractions near the Statue of Liberty
Make the most of your New York itinerary by visiting the nearby attractions. After visiting the Statue of Liberty, you can come to these places too:
African Burial Ground NM
290 Broadway, New York, NY 10007
Phone: 212-238-4367
Spanning an area of 0.35 acres, the African Burial Ground was created on February 27, 2006, and is the oldest excavated burial ground for Africans. It is a designated US National Monument and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. More than 100,000 visitors come to see and learn about the history of slavery in New York.
Castle Clinton National Monument
New York, NY 10004
Phone: 212-344-7220
Known as Castle Garden, Castle Clinton is a 1-acre land built in 1808. It was designed by
John McComb Jr. and Jonathan Williams and was the first immigration station in the United States. About 2,949,231 visitors come annually to see its beer garden, exhibitions, aquarium, and theater.
Governors Island National Monument
10 South St, New York, NY 10004
Phone: 212-825-3054
Governors Island National Monument is a 22.78-acre island that is used for events for art and culture. It was created on January 19, 2001, and now draws more than 400,000 visitors every year. In the past, the island played an essential role in New York’s social and political aspects.
Lower Eastside Tenement Museum
103 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002
Phone: 877-975-3786
Lower Eastside Tenement Museum is a National Historic Site with an Italianate architectural style. It was built in 1863 and served as a residence for more than 15,000 people. Today, the museum holds several exhibits, collections, and events open to the public for viewing.
Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site
28 E 20th St, New York, NY 10003
Phone: 212-260-1616
Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site was originally established in 1848 but was demolished in 1916. However, it was soon rebuilt in 1923 but only as a replica. Theodate Pope Riddle was the architect who designed and rebuilt the building.
Ready to Visit the Statue?
Coming to the statue will be even more exciting as you discover and dig deeper into its history and purpose. This colossal statue holds more value with its meaningful representation and desire for freedom. Now that’s one more tick off your travel bucket list!
Did you find these facts interesting? Let us know what you think in the comments section below. If you have any suggestions for us, don’t forget to share them as well!
