Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Crown
Legend says that Bartholdi's
mother was the model for Liberty,
but the face was actually based on
his early drawings for a
never-commissioned
statue in Egypt. The
seven rays of her
crown represent the
seven seas and
seven continents.
Torch and Book
The new torch, with its 24-carat
gold leaf-coated flame, was added during
a 1984-86 restoration. The original is
on display in the main lobby. The topic
in the statue's left hand is inscribed
July 4, 1776, in Latin.
Frame
Gustave Eiffel, best known for his
Paris tower, created the inner framework.
The copper sheeting shell, weighing 31
tons, is hung on iron bars from a
massive central iron pylon that
anchors the statue to the base.
Views
The lofty
observation
decks in the
pedestal and
crown of the
Liberty Statue,
which offered
spectacular
views of Man-
hattan, are now
closed because
of security
concerns since
the events of
September
11, 2001.
Gateway to the
New World
The Statue of Liberty
has symbolized the
beginning of a new way
of life for millions of
immigrants fleeing
poverty and hardship.
She is an enduring
symbol of the freedom
and hope offered by the
U.S. and the subject of
Emma Lazarus's poem
The New Colossus:
...Give me your tired,
your poor, Your huddled
masses yearning to
breathe free... Send
these, the homeless,
tempest-tost to me, I
lift my lamp beside the
golden door .
Historical Exhibits
The museum inside the base documents the
complete history of the Statue of Liberty using
photos, prints, videos, oral histories, and full-scale
replicas of the face and foot. A pass is required to
visit the base and observation platform.
To reserve a pass to visit the statue's base, contact:
1-866-STATUE 4, or visit www.statuereservations.com
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