Help Raise $100,000 for the National Park Foundation

“We will not forget that Liberty has made here her home, nor shall her chosen altar be neglected.”

— Grover Cleveland,
U.S. President

Statue of Liberty National Monument

A gift from the people of France to those of the U.S., the 151-foot-tall Statue of Liberty has brightened New York Harbor since she was dedicated on Oct. 28, 1886.

In 1933, the statue came under the stewardship of the National Park Service. In 1984, along with Liberty Island and Ellis Island, the statue became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

An Extraordinary Setting

The Statue of Liberty stands on a 12-acre island, accessible only by ferry, with sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline. An inspiration to the 12 million immigrants who passed through Ellis Island from 1892 to 1954, Lady Liberty endures as a symbol of freedom. A short ferry ride away, Ellis Island and the Ellis Island Immigration Museum are part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument.

Most Famous Feature

Although closed to public tours since 1916, the torch, representing enlightenment, is probably the most beloved part of the statue. The original, which now resides in the monument’s lobby, was made of glass and lighted from within. It was replaced in 1986 by a new copper torch gilded with 24-karat gold leaf.

Best-Kept Secret

Intended to commemorate the centenary of America’s independence on July 4, 1876, Lady Liberty’s arrival in New York was delayed for 10 years because both the French, who built the figure, and the Americans, who constructed the star-shaped base, had fund-raising troubles.