Statue of Liberty: 100-Construction and Design Facts

The Statue of Liberty, an iconic symbol of freedom and democracy, stands tall and proud on Liberty Island in New York Harbor. A gift from the people of France to the United States, this colossal statue has captured the imagination of millions around the world.

The Statue of Liberty, officially known as “Liberty Enlightening the World,” was a gift from France to commemorate the American Revolution and the longstanding friendship between the two nations. Designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and with structural engineering by Alexandre Gustave Eiffel, the statue’s construction marked a remarkable feat of international collaboration.

Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, the visionary sculptor, conceived the concept and design of the statue. He enlisted the expertise of Alexandre Gustave Eiffel, renowned for his engineering marvels including the Eiffel Tower, to design the iron pylon and secondary skeletal framework that supports the statue’s copper skin.

The construction of the Statue of Liberty, including its pedestal, had a total cost of over $500,000 in the late 19th century. Adjusted for inflation, this amounts to over $10 million in today’s currency, highlighting the significance and scale of the project.

The statue’s foundation is situated on Bedloe’s Island, now known as Liberty Island. It is a star-shaped, eleven-point fort called Fort Wood. The fort’s original construction provided a sturdy base capable of supporting the statue’s weight. The foundation’s depth extends approximately 25 to 30 feet below the surface, ensuring the stability and longevity of the structure.

In this article, we will explore the top 100 construction and design facts about the Statue of Liberty, delving into its history, technical details, and fascinating trivia.

Top-100 Facts of Statue of Liberty

1. The Statue of Liberty was a gift from the people of France to the United States, designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi.
2. Gustave Eiffel, the man behind the Eiffel Tower, was responsible for the iron framework.
3. The construction was completed in 1884 in France before being shipped to New York.
4. The total cost of the statue and its pedestal amounted to over $500,000, equivalent to over $10 million in today’s currency.
5. Alexandre Gustave Eiffel designed a unique iron pylon and secondary skeletal framework which allowed the Statue’s copper skin to move independently yet stand upright.
6. The statue was disassembled into 350 pieces and shipped over the Atlantic in 214 crates.
7. The statue’s torch was replaced in 1986 during restoration, and the original is on display in the monument’s museum.
8. The entire project – from design to unveiling – took 21 years.
9. The statue’s foundation is a star-shaped, eleven-point fort built on Bedloe’s Island (now Liberty Island), which was underlain by compact glacial till.
10. The depth of the foundation, due to the fort, was adequate to support the statue’s weight, and measures approximately 25-30 feet.
11. The statue is supported by a central pylon with a flexible framework that allows it to sway in the wind.
12. The superstructure is primarily composed of iron, with a thin skin of copper on the exterior.
13. This type of flexible construction helps the statue withstand high winds and the vibration of the statue due to the waves hitting the island.
14. The total weight of the statue is estimated to be 225 tons.
15. The statue’s copper skin is just 3/32 of an inch thick, less than the thickness of two pennies.
16. The iconic green hue of the statue is due to the natural weathering of copper, known as patina.
17. The concrete and granite pedestal on which the statue stands is nearly as tall as the statue itself.
18. The statue stands 305 feet and 1 inch from the base to the tip of the torch.
19. The equivalent strength of the statue’s structure is difficult to quantify, as it is composed of various materials, each contributing differently to the overall stability and integrity of the statue.
20. No specific code was used for the design as modern structural codes were not established until the late 20th century.
21. No specific grade of concrete or steel was reported, as these concepts were not widely used in the late 19th century.
22. From an economic perspective, the statue has an immeasurable impact, attracting millions of tourists each year.
23. Despite being exposed to the elements for over a century, the statue is still standing strong, testifying to its design and construction.
24. The statue was constructed in the era before soil mechanics was a well-developed field, but it’s known that the island consists of dense glacial till.
25. The statue, including its pedestal, reaches a height of 93 meters.
26. The crown has 25 windows, symbolizing gemstones and the heaven’s rays shining over the world.
27. The seven spikes on the crown represent the seven oceans and the seven continents of the world, indicating the universal concept of liberty.
28. The tablet held in her left hand measures 7 feet by 4 feet 6 inches and is inscribed with the date of American independence in Roman numerals.
29. The statue has a 35-foot waistline.
30. For maintenance, the statue can be ascended with stairs, and also has elevators for visitor use.
31. The statue can sway up to 3 inches in winds of 50 mph, while the torch can move up to 5 inches.
32. The torch flame, covered in 24k gold leaf, shines brightly due to reflection, not by light from within.
33. Though often reported as a Roman goddess, Lady Liberty is not based on a real historical figure.
34. The statue was built during a time when “color photography” was not available; it was originally copper-colored before developing the patina.
35. The face of the statue is said to be modeled after Bartholdi’s mother.
36. A broken shackle and chain lay at the Statue’s feet, symbolizing the abolition of slavery in the U.S.
37. Only 240 people per day are permitted to ascend to the crown.
38. The statue became a symbol of immigration during the late 19th century, as it was often one of the first sights for immigrants arriving to Ellis Island.
39. The statue was dedicated on October 28, 1886, a day declared a public holiday in New York City.
40. In high winds, due to the flexible framework, the statue is designed to sway instead of being rigid.
41. The base of the statue is a fort, Fort Wood, which was used as a military garrison during the War of 1812.
42. The statue was designated a National Monument in 1924 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.
43. At the time of its construction, the statue was the tallest iron structure ever built.
44. The statue was assembled on site, with each piece carefully added in a specific order.
45. Lady Liberty wears a size 879 shoe.
46. While often depicted as standing, the statue is actually in mid-stride, moving forward.
47. The site was selected due to its visibility to all ships entering the harbor.
48. The statue was not immediately a popular attraction; interest grew after the end of World War I.
49. The statue was nearly a lighthouse; the U.S. Lighthouse Board proposed that it be used as such, but the light was too weak to be seen from the bay.
50. It was not until 1901 that the statue was lit at night, a responsibility of the U.S. Army until 1902.
51. During the Black Tom explosion in 1916, the statue was damaged and public access to the torch has been closed ever since.
52. The statue underwent significant restoration in the 1980s to repair weathering and damage.
53. The statue’s torch was replaced in 1986 with a new copper flame covered in gold leaf.
54. Lady Liberty has been struck by lightning many times, demonstrating the efficiency of the grounding of its iron framework.
55. The statue was initially designed to show Lady Liberty holding broken chains in her left hand, but this was changed to a tablet.
56. The statue is often seen as a symbol of hope and freedom, and has been featured in numerous movies, books, and photographs.
57. From the ground to the top of the torch, the statue measures 93 meters, and from heel to top of the head it measures 46 meters.
58. The head of the statue was displayed at the World’s Fair in Paris in 1878.
59. The right arm and torch were exhibited at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia in 1876 to raise funds for completion.
60. In 1984, the United Nations designated the Statue of Liberty as a World Heritage Site.
61. A sonnet by Emma Lazarus, titled “The New Colossus”, is engraved on a bronze plaque and placed inside the pedestal’s lower level.
62. The statue’s face is more than 8 feet tall.
63. The statue’s index finger is eight feet long.
64. During the restoration in 1986, the new torch was carefully covered with thin sheets of 24k gold.
65. The French funded and built the statue, while Americans built the pedestal.
66. Bartholdi needed an engineer to address the structural issues associated with designing the sculpture and Alexandre Gustave Eiffel was appointed to design the massive iron pylon and secondary skeletal framework.
67. The iron structure of the statue was made with the puddling process, a method that was soon replaced by the Bessemer process and open hearth furnaces.
68. The statue has been an important symbol for welcoming refugees and immigrants, positioned on Liberty Island in the New York Harbor.
69. The statue’s mouth is three feet wide.
70. The crown of the statue, accessible to visitors, can be reached by a 354-step stairway.
71. The site of the statue was originally called Bedloe’s Island, but its name was changed to Liberty Island in 1956.
72. The statue’s exterior copper covering measures less than an inch thick but still weighs a total of 62,000 pounds.
73. Lady Liberty’s arm that holds the torch is 42 feet long.
74. The original torch was replaced during restoration due to damage, mostly from water and weather, and it is now housed in the museum.
75. The statue was built with both a lighthouse and a balcony on the torch, but both ideas were later scrapped.
76. For the first sixteen years, the statue functioned as a lighthouse, with the light in the torch visible for up to 24 miles.
77. The statue was actually constructed twice – once in France for testing, and again in the USA.
78. Over the years, the Statue of Liberty has become one of the most recognized symbols of freedom and democracy in the world.
79. The Statue of Liberty was once used as a recruiting station for World War I and was also utilized for the draft for World War II.
80. Liberty Island was declared a national monument by President Coolidge on October 15, 1924.
81. The statue’s iron frame has been replaced with stainless steel bars to slow down corrosion.
82. The face of Lady Liberty measures over 8 feet tall.
83. The statue was initially copper-colored, but the weathering process turned it to its iconic green over time.
84. To reach the crown, visitors must climb 162 steps on a double helix staircase, added during renovations.
85. The Statue of Liberty is not only an icon of New York but is a symbol for the whole of America and is recognized globally.
86. The statue was initially not warmly welcomed by America; fundraising for the pedestal was difficult.
87. After the statue was assembled, it was disassembled and packed into 214 crates for its journey across the Atlantic.
88. The site on which the statue stands is composed of granite gneiss, a type of metamorphic rock.
89. Although the statue is made primarily of copper and iron, its pedestal is constructed of concrete and granite.
90. Bartholdi purposely chose to portray Liberty as a woman to follow the European tradition of personifying liberty.
91. Liberty’s torch symbolizes enlightenment, lighting the way to freedom by showing the path to Liberty.
92. The original name of the statue is “La Liberté éclairant le monde” or “Liberty Enlightening the World”.
93. The robed figure of Liberty represents Libertas, the Roman goddess of freedom.
94. Although the statue was meant to be a symbol of welcoming, it was initially seen by many as a symbol of American imperialism.
95. Liberty Island, the site of the statue, was once a quarantine station for immigrants who had fallen ill upon arrival in the U.S.
96. The statue was first lit on November 22, 1886, and the electrical power was supplied from the mainland.
97. The statue is made of copper sheets, assembled on a framework of steel (originally puddled iron) with the exception of the flame of the torch, which is coated in gold leaf.
98. The original torch now resides in the Statue of Liberty Museum, and is a popular attraction for tourists.
99. The construction of the statue was a significant achievement in the field of large-scale sculpture fabrication.
100. The statue, despite being over a century old, continues to stand as a beacon of freedom, welcoming immigrants and visitors from around the world.

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