Inside the Statue of Liberty | History & Unknown Facts
The Statue of Liberty, also known as Liberty Enlightening the World, is a massive statue on Liberty Island in New York Harbor. The statue was a gift from the people of France to the United States in 1886, sculpted by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and engineered by Gustave Eiffel. It represents liberty and democracy and has become an iconic emblem of the United States.
IMAGE: Albert Fernique, courtesy of the New York Public Library
The statue is made of copper and stands 151 feet tall from the base to the tip of the torch. Because to the weathering process known as patination, the copper has attained a characteristic green color.
IMAGE: via Library of Congress
The torch of the statue, which is not accessible to the public, is covered with gold leaf. The sculptor’s mother is claimed to have inspired the statue’s face, while the body is said to be a portrayal of the Roman goddess Libertas.
A steel foundation supports the copper skin inside the statue. Gustave Eiffel, who also created the Eiffel Tower, conceived and built the framework. The framework is made up of four major components: a pylon, a primary frame, a secondary frame, and a skin.
The pylon is the structure that supports the raised arm and torch of the statue. It stands 87 feet tall and is built of steel. The primary frame is the structure that supports the head, body, and legs of the statue. It stands 154 feet tall and is built of steel.
The secondary frame, which is likewise constructed of steel, is the structure that supports the statue’s robe. The copper sheeting that covers the structure and gives the statue its shape is referred to as the skin.
The skin is about 3/32 of an inch thick and was connected to the framework by a process called repoussé, which involves hammering the copper sheeting from the inside to construct the shape of the statue.
Visitors to the statue can take a journey inside the statue of Liberty. They can go to the crown, where they can get a close look at the statue’s face and torch. The tour involves a 354-step climb to the crown, where tourists can get a close look at the statue’s face and torch.
The tour also includes a stop at the museum, which is located in the statue’s base and has displays about the statue’s history and symbolism.
IMAGE: Drew Angerer/Getty Images
Throughout its history, the statue has undergone various modifications and restorations. The most recent restoration was done in 1986, just in time for the 100th anniversary of the statue.
The torch on the statue was replaced, and an elevator to the crown was installed as part of the renovation. The statue and Liberty Island were shuttered for a year in the early 2000s for a major security and infrastructural upgrade.
If you are more interested in art and sculptures, I highly recommend that you take a look at these 22 Finest Marble Statues That Almost Looks Alive. They are some of the most realistic looking statues ever made out of marble.
With millions of tourists each year, the Statue of Liberty is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the United States. It represents freedom and democracy, as well as the relationship between the United States and France. Its beauty and message of hope continue to inspire people all across the world.
What Can be Found Inside the Statue of Liberty?
