Statue of Liberty . It is considered the most valuable gift from France to the United States . During the North American Revolution , France gave the United States the Statue of Liberty, a symbol of freedom for the oppressed. It is located in New York City.
History
It was the French historian, Edoard de Laboulaye , who proposed since 1865 that his country make a commemorative gift to the United States of America, on the occasion of the first centenary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Although the French allies of that time protested the initiative, the sculptor Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi traveled to North American lands to meet with the authorities. A monument like the one projected had too high a cost, so a Franco-American Union was formed to raise funds.
The idea of the French republic making a gift to American citizens came to the sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi one summer night in 1865, while dining at the home of a French historian. Six years later, during a trip to New York, Bartholdi, who was 37 at the time, discovered the perfect location for the statue: Bedloe Island , high in New York Bay, a visible place for all ships to come to the port. The choice of the statue’s face gave many headaches to Bartholdi, who finally decided to give him the stern features of his mother, a Protestant fanatic who had driven her son crazy, literally speaking, by forbidding him to marry the woman. what he wanted: a Jewess. Another problem was finding the right materials to build a statue that would resist the elements and, at the same time, was light to transport it by sea, and was inspired by the Colossus of Rhodes , which was hollow, covered in bronze , he used thin sheets of copper .
This monument is a gift made the 4 of July of 1884 , by the French people to the North America, commemorating the alliance made by the two nations during the American Revolution. A monument like the one being projected had too high a cost, so a Franco-American Union was formed to raise funds. The total cost of the statue was one million francs, it was fully covered by the French people. Meanwhile, the Americans contributed the $ 250,000 needed for the pedestal. In his right hand, in an elevated position, the divinity represented in the statue carries an illuminated torch; In his left hand, he carries the tablet of the law inscribed with Roman numerals the date of July 4, 1776.
Also, a broken chain lies at his feet. The Statue of Liberty was established as a national monument in 1924 and its maintenance is under the responsibility of the National Park Service. The figure is made of a copper frame 2.4 millimeters thick, and its support is an iron plate designed by Alexandre Gustave Eiffel , creator of the Eiffel Tower in Paris .
Building
The process of its elaboration required Bartholdi to build a three-meter model, which was increased to make an 11-meter-high figure divided into sections. Each section was later enlarged as well and at the end all of them were put in place in the central structure. The statue was to be raised on a pedestal as high as she was, so that it would rise about 93 m above ground level . But no more than half the money needed to build the pedestal had been raised. Editor Joseph Pulitzer launched a campaign encouraging donations to be made to this cause and published in his popular newspaper, the New York World, the names of how many were contributing to the work, with much or little money. Finally, 121,000 people contributed more than $ 100,000 .
The Statue of Liberty had been packed for 15 months when its pedestal was completed. The pieces were unpacked and assembled on the Eiffel structure, from bottom to top, without external scaffolding. On 28 October as as 1886 , Liberty finally raised his torch on its new home. It was built in Paris with a central metallic structure designed by Gustave Eiffel, then it was dismantled and shipped to America . It is around 46 meters tall and weighs 225 tons.View of the construction of the Statue of Liberty in New York
Its pedestal was built with money from different sources from the United States. On the occasion of the bicentennial of France, the United States gave this country a copy of the torch of the Statue of Liberty, which was located on the side of the River Seine , in Paris. In 1984 it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and is one of the most recognized monuments in the United States of North America. The statue basically represents freedom , independence from Great Britain .
The Statue is located on Liberty Island Liberty Island in New York Harbor, about 2.6 kilometers south of the point closest to the south of Manhattan. The statue is depicted holding a torch in the right hand and a table in the left. The table shows the inscription JULY VI MDCCLXXVI [July 4, 1776], the day of the American Declaration of Independence. One of his feet is chained, and symbolizes freedom. The seven peaks of the Statue’s tiara, symbolize the seven continents “… Description The Statue of Liberty is the largest ever built. It weighs 240,000 kilos, has a height of 46 meters and stands on a 45.7 meter high pedestal with a seven-pointed crown on the head, representing the seven continents.An elevator takes visitors from the pedestal to the base of the statue, and from there 168 steps lead to the crown on each of the two stairways.
The spirit of the statue is translated by the famous poem by Emma Lazarus , “The New Colossus”, inscribed on a plaque placed inside the pedestal. This poem concludes as follows:Give me your poor and tired beings. Give me those masses eager to be free, the sad wastes of populous shores. Let the helpless come Let the storms beat. My torch lights a golden threshold.
Acquisition of the island
The statue is located on Liberty Island in New York Harbor. The island was originally known as Bedloe Island, and it served as a military base. Fort Wood was housed in it, an old artillery bastion built in granite and whose foundations in the shape of an eleven-pointed star, served as the basis for the construction of the statue’s plinth. The choice of the land and its obtaining required several steps. In 1887, the United States Congress gave its approval for the construction of the statue and General WT Sherman was appointed to designate the land where the monument would be built. The latter chose the island of Bedloe as its location. Fifteen years before the inauguration, Bartholdi had already planned the construction of the monument on the island of Bedloe, fascinated by the youth and promises of freedom of that nation and imagined it oriented towards its continent of origin, the Europe that it welcomed and would continue welcoming immigrants.Approach to the Statue of Liberty
It was not until 1956 that the United States Congress decided to change the name of Bedloe Island to Liberty Island “Island of Liberty.” The United States Ambassador to France, Levi P. Morton, placed the first rivet of the statue’s construction in Paris on October 24 , 1881 . This island is a national park. Annually about three million people visit this park; which can be done on speedboats that depart from New York City and from the Hudson River shore in New Jersey . The cost of maintaining the monument, the gardens and the national park in general is approximately ten million dollars annually.
Lighthouse in New York
The statue functioned as a lighthouse between the date of its assembly and 1902 . At that time, the “US Lighthouse board” was in charge of ensuring its operation. A lighthouse keeper had been assigned to the statue and the power of its light beam was such that it was visible from a distance of 24 miles. An electric generator was installed on the island in order to supply power to the structure.
Restoration
In the early 1980s the condition of the Statue of Liberty was examined and it turned out that it was completely falling apart. More than a century of exposure to the elements and the visit of millions of travelers, who climbed inside, caused serious corrosion. As part of its restoration work, the torch was changed, making a new copper flame in 1985 , with thin sheets of 24 carat gold plate. The renovation of the statue was completed for its centenary, with its re-inauguration celebrated on July 3 , 1986 .
The original lighting system has been replaced several times by more modern equipment. In 1916 , President Woodrow Wilson inaugurated the first system that met the initial expectations for lighting the statue, consisting of two hundred and forty-six projectors, using 250 W incandescent lamps, located at the points of the star at the base of the monument and other points of the island, and fifteen of 500 W in the torch. Later, in 1931 and 1945 , the previous lighting was intensified, more showy effects were added and shadows were eliminated.Rear view of the Statue of Liberty
Along with the improvement project illumination 1916, the torch was initially copper was reformed using 600 individual pieces Stained total colored yellow to enhance and beautify lighting effects to the light. This work was executed by Gutzon Borglum , known for his colossal Mount Rushmore sculptures . The light output of the torch was also increased. On July 30 of that same year, due to an act of sabotage known as the Black Tom Explosion , access to the torch was officially closed.
Although when the construction of the base began, the installation of an elevator had already been planned inside, the first was not installed until 1908 – 1909 . Later it was replaced by a more modern one in 1931 . In 1949 a heating system was installed at the base of the statue. Before this improvement, during the winter months , the enormous mass of the base (about 48,000 tons) became increasingly cold, and when in March the outside air became warmer, condensation occurred.that permeated the walls and that damaged the structure and its facilities. On the other hand, heating, in addition to solving cooling and condensation problems at the base, added greater comfort to employees and visitors.
In 1937 several platforms and stairs were replaced on the statue’s pedestal. An inspection was made of the structure and the copper plates of the statue, from the torch to the beams on which the structure rests. The iron bracket was replaced in the sections where it had rusted, and the rivets that had come loose were replaced with new ones and the head crown frames were rebuilt with new iron ones. No renovations were made to the spiral staircase inside the statue.
Highlights of the Statue of Liberty
- Located on Liberty Island, in New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty has been offered as proof of international friendship by the people of France to the people of the United States and is one of the most universal symbols of political freedom. and of democracy; its official name is Liberty Enlightening the World Liberty Enlightening the World.
- Inaugurated on October 28, 1886, the Statue of Liberty was classified as a National Monument on October 15, 1924 and restored for the commemoration of its first centenary, on July 4, 1986.
- The 25 windows of the crown symbolize precious stones found in the land of rays of the sun illuminating the world; the seven rays of the crown represent the seven seas and continents of the world; In the table that the figure holds in his left hand, it can be read July 4, 1776.
- The visit to the crown of the Statue of Liberty can mean a two or three hour wait in line and requires the climb of 354 steps 22 floors, not advisable for people with health problems.
- The observation deck on the pedestal offers a spectacular view of New York Harbor and can be reached by a 192-step staircase or an elevator.
- For visitors short on time, the museum on the statue’s pedestal explains how the monument has been conceived, built and restored.
- The only transportation to Liberty Island is the Circle Line ferries – Statue of Liberty Ferry, Inc “.
Replicas and imitations
- In the Spanish town of Cenicero there is a Statue of Liberty dating from 1897 .
- A prototype of the statue is located in Paris, France, near the Grenelle Bridge on the Isle of Cygnes in the River Seine. It is 11.5 m tall. He looks to the west, facing his older sister.
- From 1887 to 1945 , Hanoi was home to another copy of the statue. It was 2.85 m high and was erected by the French colonial government, after being sent to France to be exhibited. It was known by the locals as the -Statue of the lady with the open dress-. When France lost control of French Indochina during World War II the statue was toppled on August 1 , 1945 , after seeing it as a holdover from colonial rule.
- Deluth , Minnesota , has a small copy in a convention center, but being surrounded by pine trees it goes unnoticed.
- Between 1949 and 1951 , approximately 200 2.5 m replicas, made of copper, were purchased by the Boy Scouts and donated to various cities in the United States. The mass produced statues are not great or an exact copy, a note about it says that – her face is not mature like the real one, it is rounded and more like a girl. But these statues are loved, especially after the 9/11 attacks . Many of them have been destroyed, but preservationists have counted close to 100 and a group of Boy Scouts from Cheyenne, Wyoming has collected photographs of more than 50.
- Another copy is the Statue of Liberty in Bordeaux. It measures 2.5 m and is in the city of Bordeaux in southwestern France. The first statue was toppled and destroyed by the German army in WWII. The statue was replaced in 2000 and later a plaque was added commemorating the victims of September 11.
- A bronze sculpture of the Statue of Liberty is on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
- There is a half-size copy at the -New York-New York Hotel and Casino- in Las Vegas , Nevada .
- In Buenos Aires , Argentina , in the Barrancas de Belgrano park , there is a small replica acquired by the Municipality from France. In 1986 it had to be restored due to the intentional damage that was caused to it.
- In Gibara , Cuba ], in the Calixto García park, old Plaza de Armas. It was obtained through popular fundraising and commissioned from Italian sculptors.
World Heritage
The statue was included on the List of World Heritage of UNESCO in the year 1984 .
Justification of registration
- Criterion (i): This colossal statue is a masterpiece of the human spirit. The collaboration between sculptor Frédéric Bartholdi and engineer Gustave Eiffel resulted in the production of a technological marvel that brings together art and engineering in a powerful new way.
- Criterion (vi): The symbolic value of the Statue of Liberty lies in two basic factors. It was presented by France with the intention of affirming the historic alliance between the two nations. It was financed by international subscription in recognition of the establishment of the principles of freedom and democracy of the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America , which the statue holds in its left hand. The statue was also soon made and has endured as a symbol of the migration of people from many countries to the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.. She remains a very powerful symbol: inspiring contemplation, debate and protest of ideals such as freedom, peace, human rights, the abolition of slavery, democracy, and opportunity.
Integrity
Within the property limits are all the elements necessary to understand and express the exceptional universal value of the Statue of Liberty. The statue has stood through its life without any major changes. The deformations related to the galvanic interaction of the metals were corrected in a deep restoration undertaken for its centenary in 1986, which included the reproduction of the original deteriorated torch, which is now kept in the museum. There have been regular updates to the mechanical and internal security systems. The 5.95 ha property is of sufficient size to adequately ensure full representation of the features and processes that convey the meaning of the property, and does not suffer from the adverse effects of development and / or neglect. There is no official protection zone for the property, but its location on the island within the urban setting offers equivalent protection. The property, which is the entirety of Liberty Island, also has a number of administrative structures.
Authenticity
The Statue of Liberty is authentic in its location and surroundings, form and design, materials and substances, use and function, and spirit and feeling. The design and purpose of the statue have been preserved from the time of its construction. The internal iron frame was replaced in 1986 with stainless steel that prevents corrosion. All repairs were made with great fidelity to the original design and materials. The circulation, and periodic mechanical security updates have not affected the sculptural and symbolic values of the monument, and have been done to ensure the safety of the visitors. There is a formal property monitoring program. Known and potential threats to the authenticity of the property include pollution, bad weather, and large numbers of visitors.
Protection and management requirements
The Statue of Liberty is the property of the Government of the United States of America. The statue was designated as a National Monument in 1924 (the National Monument also includes Liberty Island 1937 and Ellis Island 1965 ), and is managed by the National Park Service. These measures provide the highest level of protection possible. The current General Management Plan ( 1982 ), which addresses physical preservation and interpretation, has been supplemented in recent years by an exhaustive study on life-safety and emergency management ( 2009), of which the recommendations have been applied. The statue receives a large number of visitors, and has substantial professional staff and facilities that include a Visitor Information Center, an exhibit on the statue’s history, and the nearby Ellis Island Immigration Museum. Access is by ferry, which includes security control for visitors; Maintaining the security of the property is a constant concern.
Maintaining the property’s Outstanding Universal Value over time will require continued monitoring and management of known and potential threats, including contamination, bad weather, and large numbers of visitors.