What was the Statue of Liberty made out of?
The Statue of Liberty is constructed of copper that is 3/32 in. (2.4 millimeters) thick, which equals the thickness of two US pennies placed together.
Why did the Statue of Liberty Turn green?
The copper on the Statue has organically oxidized to give the recognizable “patina” green coating. This patina is as thick as the copper behind it in many places, and it protects the copper from natural wear and tear.
How much is the Statue of Liberty worth?
The Statue of Liberty is only worth roughly $230,000 in scrap if the iron structure and copper sheets, saddles, and rivets are combined. Given the resources required to remove and carry all that metal, this statue would be worth relatively little to a burglar. The ultimate value of the Statue of Liberty, of course, is not in its metal, but in its historic image. The United States considers it a symbol of liberty, and its residents value it far more than the sum of its components.
What are 5 facts about the Statue of Liberty?
1. The statue is of a Roman Goddess.
Accordingly, the name of the statue comes from the Goddess it symbolizes, Libertas, a Roman deity who embodies freedom. Libertas basically appears on Roman coins at Julius Caesar’s assassination to support the Republic. You can approach the statue by water by clicking and pointing here.
2. The spikes on the crown depict the oceans and continents.
The statue’s crown is adorned with seven spikes, representing the world’s seven oceans and continents and stressing her message of welcome, inclusiveness, and then freedom. Can you identify her from here, on adjacent Ellis Island, also the initial destination for many new Americans?
3. Every year, Lady Liberty is struck by lightning 600 times.
Standing tall and exposed to the elements, the statue must resist around 600 lightning strikes per year, and in heavy gusts, the torch can swing by approximately 5 inches side to side! Fortunately, it’s a clear day when we arrive at the ferry port and make our approach.
4. Gustave Eiffel assisted in its construction.
The statue was conceived by Edouard de Laboulaye, and it was created by sculptor Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi, but the entire metal framework was built by the same guy who built the Eiffel Tower! You may admire their art from Flagpole Plaza, or you can approach closer…
5. The artist’s mother inspired Lady Liberty’s face.
The artist who designed the statue, Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi, is supposed to have modeled her face after his own mother. So, there’s no need to stress about your next Mother’s Day present! Explore Liberty Island and the world-famous Statue of Liberty by pointing and clicking.
How deep is the water at the Statue of Liberty?
The water surrounding the Statue of Liberty is 62 feet deep at its deepest point between Liberty Island and Manhattan. As a major maritime port, the water in New York Harbor is basically relatively deep. The Statue of Liberty is tall enough that if she could walk, also she could stroll through the water to Manhattan without having her head submerged!
Who owns Statue of Liberty?
Since 1801, the federal government has held Liberty Island, initially as a military installation and now as a national landmark.
