THIS GIANT CONCRETE STATUE ACROSS FROM MANHATTAN IS THE LARGEST CONCRETE STRUCTURE. IT WAS BUILT IN FRANCE IN 1875 AS A GIFT TO THE U.S. IT WAS FINALLY ASSEMBLED ON LIBERTY ISLAND IN 1886. IT IS ABOUT 110 FEET HIGH. SHE WAS DESIGNED AS A CLASSICAL ROMAN DEITY, AND HS BEEN RENOVATED SEVERAL TIMES.
SHE HAS A CROWN WITH SEVEN SPIKES REPRESENTING SEVEN SEAS OR SEVEN CONTINENTS. THEY BUILT 25 WINDOWS INTO THE CROWN THAT REPRESENTS NATURAL MINERALS. IT STANDS 22 STORIES HIGH AND YOU CAN HAVE A 360 DEGREE VIEW FROM THE CROWN WINDOWS. MY HUSBAND AND I CLIMBED TO THE CROWN IN 1775 WHEN WE WERE DIGGING IN HISTORICAL SITES. THE STATUE STANDS ATOP A LARGE CONCRETE BASE ABOUT 65 FEET HIGH. WHEN WE WERE THERE THEY HAD NOT INSTALLED AN ELEVATOR. THE TOTAL HEIGHT IS 300 FEET.
SHE CARRIES A TORCH THAT REPRESENTS ENLIGHTENMENT. IN ORDER TO TOUR THE ISLAND YOU MUST USE A FERRY TO REACH LIBERTY ISLAND. APPARENTLY THE TOUCH IS LIT DURING THE NIGHT. THE EXTERIOR OF THE STATUE WAS COVERED WITH A COPPER THAT HAS TURNED GREEN DUE TO PATINA.
THIS ISLAND WAS ONCE KNOWN AS ELLIS ISLAND AND IN 1892 IT WAS THE NATION'S LARGEST FEDERAL IMMIGRATION STATION. IT CLOSED IN 1954 AND PROCESSED OVER 12 MILLION IMMIGRANTS WHO CAME FROM STEAMSHIPS. MY STEPMOTHER IN LAW WORKED AT THE NEW OFFICE OF IMMIGRATION IN NEW YORK.
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