Last updated on January 27th, 2023 at 08:13 pm
The Statue of Liberty has become a beacon for American freedom, standing proud for around 150 years in the waters of New York. Yet, few people know what it took to construct such an iconic landmark, and even fewer have seen pictures taken during its construction.
The statue was completed in 1884 and shipped from France to the United States in pieces, arriving on July 17, 1885. It was then reassembled on Bedloe’s Island and dedicated on October 28, 1886.
Let’s explore rarely-seen images of how one of America’s most treasured landmarks, The Statue of Liberty, was built. Learn all about the remarkable engineering that went into erecting Lady Liberty and soak up unique views from before she wore her celebrated green color.
Photos of the Statue of Liberty Under Construction
Workers hammer out copper sheets with The Statue of Liberty’s arm in the background.
The Statue of Liberty’s head on display in Paris, France, in 1883, one year before it would be shipped to the United States.
Lady Liberty’s head at the Paris International Exposition, 1878. The head was one of the first pieces completed and put on display.
The statue was built with copper, which has turned green over time due to the natural weathering process known as oxidation.
The statue stands fully assembled on display outside of the workshop in Paris. The statue stands 151 feet tall from the base to the torch.
A photograph of the torch on display at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, 1776.
The face of the Statue of Liberty before it was attached to the rest of the head.
Photo of the toes and torch of the Statue of Liberty sitting on Bedloe’s Island before they were hoisted on the pedestal. C. 1885.
The almost fully assembled Statue of Liberty in Paris, France.
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