The Iconic Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of freedom and democracy, representing the principles that the United States of America was founded upon. The statue is located on Liberty Island, in New York Harbor, and was gifted to the USA by the people of France in 1886 in recognition of their shared values and the American Revolution. The statue remains an iconic landmark and a popular tourist attraction, visited by millions of people every year.
The Design and Concept of the Statue
The concept for the Statue of Liberty was developed by French politician and anti-slavery activist, Edouard de Laboulaye. The statue was designed by French sculptor Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi and built by French and American engineers and craftsmen. The statue’s design depicts a female figure representing Libertas, the Roman goddess of freedom, standing on a pedestal with a torch in one hand and a tablet in the other, inscribed with the date of the American Declaration of Independence.
The Construction of the Statue: A Brief History
The construction of the Statue of Liberty began in 1875 in France, where Bartholdi designed and oversaw the fabrication of the statue’s copper skin. The statue’s internal framework was designed by French engineer Gustave Eiffel, who also designed the Eiffel Tower. The statue was constructed in sections and shipped across the Atlantic to New York, where it was assembled on the pedestal on Liberty Island.
The People behind the Construction of the Statue
Bartholdi led the team of craftsmen and engineers who constructed the statue, but the project was a collaborative effort between France and the United States. Eiffel’s team in France designed the internal framework, while American architect Richard Morris Hunt designed the pedestal on which the statue stands. The project was also funded by private donations from both countries, with the USA providing the land for the statue’s placement.
The Construction Site of the Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty was built on Liberty Island, which was previously known as Bedloe’s Island. The island was renamed to commemorate the statue’s installation and is now a part of the National Park Service. The statue is located at the entrance to New York Harbor and can be seen from many points throughout the city.
The Number of Workers Involved in the Construction
It is estimated that over 300 craftsmen and laborers were involved in the construction of the Statue of Liberty. This included workers in Bartholdi’s workshop in France, as well as American workers involved in the construction of the pedestal and the assembly of the statue on Liberty Island. The project took over a decade to complete and required the expertise of many different trades.
The Expertise Required for the Construction of the Statue
The construction of the Statue of Liberty required expertise in a variety of trades, including metalworking, carpentry, masonry, and engineering. The statue’s copper skin was hammered into shape by hand and required careful attention to detail to ensure the proper fit of each section. The internal framework, made of iron and steel, had to support the weight of the copper skin and withstand the strong winds and saltwater exposure from its location on Liberty Island.
The Materials Used in the Construction of the Statue
The Statue of Liberty is made of copper sheets attached to an iron and steel framework. The statue’s pedestal is made of granite and concrete. The copper used in the construction of the statue was provided by French metallurgist Eugene Secrétan, who offered to donate the metal in exchange for the right to sell miniature versions of the statue.
Challenges Faced during the Construction of the Statue
The construction of the Statue of Liberty faced several challenges, including the cost of the project, the transportation of the statue’s components across the Atlantic, and the difficulty of assembling the statue on the narrow and sloping pedestal. Additionally, the statue’s copper skin had to be hammered into shape by hand, which required skilled labor and careful attention to detail.
The Timeline of the Construction of the Statue
The construction of the Statue of Liberty began in 1875 and was completed in 1886. The statue was assembled on the pedestal on Liberty Island in four months, and was officially dedicated on October 28, 1886. The statue underwent a major restoration in the 1980s, which included the replacement of the iron and steel framework and the restoration of the copper skin.
Conclusion: The Collective Effort behind the Statue of Liberty
The construction of the Statue of Liberty was a collaborative effort between France and the United States, requiring the expertise of craftsmen, engineers, and architects from both countries. The statue remains a symbol of freedom and democracy, representing the shared values of the two nations. The collective effort behind the construction of the statue serves as a reminder of the importance of cooperation and unity in achieving great accomplishments.
References and Further Reading
- Statue of Liberty National Monument (n.d.). National Park Service. https://www.nps.gov/stli/index.htm
- The Statue of Liberty – Ellis Island Foundation (n.d.). The Statue of Liberty – Ellis Island Foundation, Inc.
- The Statue of Liberty: A Symbol of America’s Freedom (n.d.). U.S. Department of the Interior.
