The Great Bartholdi Statue Of Liberty

 "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"  This excerpt of the poem, The New Colossus, was written by American poet Emma Lazarus. Intended a fundraiser to build the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty, it was subsequently engraved in bronze and, in 1903, was hung inside the lower level of the statue’s pedestal.

A number of people were instrumental in the creation of the statue. Among them, Edouard de Laboulaye, President of the French Anti-Slavery Society and great admirer of Abraham Lincoln. Laboulaye was an expert on the U.S. Constitution and fought hard to bring democracy back to France. Based on its location, people today erroneously believe the statue is a tribute to immigrants. But Laboulaye intended it to further augment the American ideals of “Liberty and Freedom for all” and to celebrate the Union victory and the abolition of slavery.  Committees were formed and it was determined that France would finance the building of the statue, while America would be responsible for building and financing the pedestal. Construction began in 1875 after Laboulaye called upon his friend and sculptor, Auguste Bartholdi.

Bartholdi was thrilled to be asked to join this undertaking as he had been looking for just such a project. After traveling throughout the world and witnessing such awe-inspiring creations as the Sphinx and the Great Pyramid, Bartholdi was determined to construct a comparable monument himself. In 1869, he proposed building a lighthouse to be placed at the entrance of the Suez Canal. It was to be named “Egypt (or Progress) Brings Light to Asia”. Unfortunately, Egypt decided against the statue and his dream was put on hold. Laboulaye’s idea was a second chance for him to build a monument unlike any other.

Both countries held many fundraising events over the next ten years. The French charged fees to observe work in progress and as well as selling souvenirs. In America, fundraisers gained little financial support from art shows and auctions. It wasn’t until the help of Joseph Pulitzer, owner of the newspaper, The World, who published numerous articles encouraging and motivating people to donate to this great undertaking.  Bartholdi set to work, planning his creation with Gustave Eiffel – of Eiffel Tower fame. Eiffel consulted with architects and engineers to design and construct the interior of the monument; consisting of four inner steel columns to hold the iron framework. Construction lasted from late 1875 thru 1884 with Bartholdi covering the statue with hammered copper sheets.   Borrowing from Bartholdi’s original idea, the new statue was named “Liberty Enlightening the World”.  It was then dismantled and in January of 1885, shipped in 214 crates to the United Sates on board the French ship, Isere. On June 19, 1885, the Isere finally arrived in New York Harbor and for four months, workers re-assembled the statue. It was placed upon the 154’ pedestal on Bedloe Island (later renamed Liberty Island). The statue itself measures 151’ from heel to torch.

Liberty was unveiled and dedicated by President Grover Cleveland October of 1886. Although ten years later than its intended completion date, the statue was met with enthusiasm. The finale was Bartholdi, perched on the torch and tossing away a large French flag to reveal the face of Lady Liberty. It was a celebration like no other of its time.