The Statue was restored with funds from a privateFrench-American committee
for her Centennialcelebration in 1986. A team of French and Americancraftsmen
repaired and replaced bad rivets and hercorroded iron ribs with stainless steel
whilestrengthen her incorrectly installed arm. The oldflame was replaced with
a gold-plated copper flamethat is lit by reflection. This new flame can beseenlighting
up the harbors shores day and night.> The Statue was first conceived in France
by EdouardRene' Lefebvre, an authority on America and a legalscholar. He wanted
to let American know of France'sshared common interest in republican ideals
and tostrengthen the two countries friendship.
Edouard Rene' Lefebvre enlisted the help of hisfriendsculptor Augutus Bartholdi
to travel to America topropose the monument and select a suitable site.Construction
of the statue began in 1875. Aftercreating Liberty as a clay model, Bartholdi
enlargethemodel in plaster until he had 300 full-sizedsections.Using the repousse'
process, 2.5 mm thick coppersheets were hammered by hand into shape againstwoodenforms
to match the contours of the plaster sectionsand assembled over flexible iron
bar framework onfoursteel supports designed by Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel.Then
in 1885 it was dismantled and sent to America.
America was responsible for creating the pedestalthe statue stands on. With
the help of Richard Hunt andJoseph Pulitzer, money was raised for this purposeand
the Statue was re-assembled on this new pedestal.The Statue which contains an
elevator to the balcony level.And a 22 story climb to the crown, was dedicated
in Oct.This remarkable statue was created in the image of a woman.
