NYC Arts: The Complete Guide to Art and Culture

The Statue of Liberty is one of the most enduring of American images. The monument's concept was first discussed in 1865 at the Paris home of Edouard René Lefebvre de Laboulaye, a legal scholar and an authority on America, who saw it as an opportunity to further republican ideals in France. Laboulaye discussed the idea with his dinner guest, sculptor Auguste Bartholdi, who later received the commission. It was formally presented to the United States on July 4, 1884, and dedicated in 1886.

The statue's iron skeleton was engineered by Alexandre Gustave Eiffel (yes, he of the Parisian tower) and mounted on a base designed by American architect Richard Morris Hunt. Clad in a skin of beautifully oxidized copper, the statue towers more than 151 feet and weighs 225 tons. Her index finger alone is eight feet long and her mouth, three-feet wide—12 rather uncomfortable persons could fit within the torch. Within, visitors take an elevator then climb 168 steps to the crown, which offers breathtaking views of the harbor.

The statue was completely refurbished for its 1986 centennial. For two years French and American craftsmen worked on it, replacing corroded iron ribs with stainless steel and strengthening the uplifted arm, which had been incorrectly installed in 1886. In keeping with the original design, French metal crafters replaced the old glass torch, lit from inside, with a gold-plated copper version, lit with reflected light. The $140 million restoration was carried out simultaneously with the renovation at Ellis Island.

On July 4, 2009, the statue's crown reopened for visitation.

• Directions: Ferry service from Lower Manhattan: Purchase round-trip ferry tickets at Castle Clinton National Monument in Battery Park. Ferries from New York operate on a loop, stopping first at Liberty Island and then at Ellis Island before returning to Battery Park, New York.

  Subway to Battery Park: 1 to South Ferry; 4, 5 to Bowling Green; R to Whitehall Street

• Disability Access: Fully accessible, except crown. Ferry personnel can provide assistance on the ferry gangways. Guide and other assist animals are welcome. A limited number of wheelchairs are available at both Liberty and Ellis Island on first-come, first-served basis.
  
• Disability Assistance:
  Hearing: Closed captioned videos. Assistive listening devices and ranger-led tours in American Sign Language are available.
  Vision: Large-print brochures
• Gift Shops: T-shirts, mugs, postcards, souvenirs
• On-Site Food: Concession stand