Statue of Liberty
Statue of Liberty
Battery Park , on the waters Edge in Manhattan is where you purchase the tickets to board the ferries that take you to Statue of Liberty. Often there is sidewalk entertainment and buskers to keep amused while you are waiting in line, either for the tickets or to get on the ferries.
That first close-up look at this famous statue seen in everything from history books to movies and television to all kinds of advertising.No matter where in the world you are from, you're sure to have seen the Statue of Liberty at some point. The Statue of Liberty,she has stood proudly in New York Harbor since 1886 . A gift from "the French people to the American people," master sculptor Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi had originally envisioned this to be a new Wonder of the World to mark Egypt's Suez Canal. After history and politics got in the way, Bartholdi looked to America and saw the perfect gift to celebrate America's Centennial. The ferry is turning to dock at Liberty Island
Liberty Island, until 1956, it was called Bedloe's Island. When you debark the ferry, you'll walk past the concession building and towards a circular area with a flagpole in the center.
Start the ascent inside the pedestal. A staircase wraps it's way along the sides while an elevator is located in the center. The elevator takes people to the top of the pedestal which has exits to outside platforms on several levels.
You can really see the outline of the statue in the waves of hair at this part. Peering out these windows at the top of Liberty''s 10 foot wide head, you have a view of over 180 degrees! The museum in the pedestal chronicles the epic story of how the Statue of Liberty was built. The financial difficulties and design problems.
On leaving the Island the ferry first goes to Liberty Island and then on to Ellis Island where there is an historic museum relating to the millions of 19th century European immigrants who passed through this facility when they reached America's shores.
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Look around at the fantastic iron skeleton which holds together the 100 tons of copper sheeting. It remind you of another famous large metal structure.
It was designed by Alexandre-Gustave
On the other side, we can look straight down and get a glimpse of the book Liberty's holding. It says "July 4th 1776" in roman numerals.
This copper face (floor to ceiling) shows you how the actual statue would look before oxidation created that patina complexion we all know.
The museum also exhibits the variety of ways Liberty has been exploited on post cards, war bonds, magazine ads, etc.A gift shop is also located in this area.