Sunday, July 25, 2010

Lady Liberty


To escape the heat of one of the hottest and most humid summers that New York City has ever seen, I took a hour and a half Zephyr Cruise of New York Harbor last week.  We passed by the Statue of Liberty, standing on Liberty Island.  The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World, which is her entire name, was a gift of friendship from the people of France to the people of the United States and is a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. The Statue of Liberty was dedicated on October 28, 1886, designated as a National Monument in 1924 and restored for her centennial on July 4, 1986.

(All photos will enlarge for easier viewing when clicked upon...click once to open in a new window, and again to see at the largest size.)


Although I've seen her many times she never fails to take my breath away with her beauty. Her symbolism makes my heart swell with gratitude and pride.


The Statue of Liberty is made of copper that has naturally oxidized to form its familiar "patina" green coating.  She stands 305ft. 1in. from the ground to the tip of the flame. She is the equivalent height of a 22-story building.

If you'd like to take an "e-tour" of the statue you can go to this link on the National Park Services web site and chose your computer connection to see a slide show and video presentations about the statue.


A photo mosaic of Lady Liberty. Visitors are allowed to climb up to the head of the statue by an interior staircase, the torch has been closed to visitors since 1916. The Statue's current replacement torch was added in 1986, and is a copper flame covered in 24K gold. It reflects the sun's rays in daytime and lighted by 16 floodlights at night. The original torch was removed in 1984 and is currently inside the lobby of the monument. Notice that the tablet she holds in her left hand is inscribed with the date July 4, 1776, in Roman numerals, which is the date of of the reading of the America's Declaration of Independence.  The seven spikes of the Statue of Liberty represent the seven seas and continents of the world.


This is part of a sonnet written by Emma Lazarus called "The New Colossus." It was written in 1883 and, in 1903 was engraved on a bronze plaque and mounted inside the Statue of Liberty.

 May she forever hold her lamp high! May we never forget those that struggled to come to our shores, and those that still seek out freedom and refuge in this country.

I'm linking this post to the "Mosaic Monday" event on Mary's blog The Little Red House. Please visit Mary's blog today to see her beautiful photo mosaics and also to see links to other participating blogs.



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55 comments:

Tara said...

Hi Pat

Great post! We are so lucky to have this near us! My great grandfather's name is etched in the wall surrounding her...very touching experience!

Kat said...

I love this post Pat. What a breathtaking monument to what this country truly stands for. I didn't realize that her torch was copper clad in gold, I bet it is magnificent when the sun strikes it. Thanks for the lovely tour! Kat

Anonymous said...

When my two friends and I visited NYC a few years ago for my birthday (they had already been there) they knew my goal was to see The Statue of Liberty. I recall getting a lump in my throat as I saw her as we were riding on the boat on our way to visit. However, I wasn't prepared for the overwhelming emotional feeling I had, followed by tears streaming down my face, when I was at her base...looking up. It was just the most awe filled moment. Thank you so much for this wonderful post. L, dana

Carol said...

Great post, Pat. I love the statue! Makes my heart beat so fast :) Breathtaking!

Vee said...

She's the most lovely lady I know. Thank you for featuring The Statue of Liberty. Lovely photos!

Debbiedoos said...

She is a true gem! When we take the ferry to NY, she looks so cool from a distance! Great post and pictures. Debbie

Sheila said...

Hi Pat - I enjoyed reading this post. My daughter was thrilled to find a good quality keychain with my Irish family name on it. The symbolism of her choice is so meaningful. thanks for another history lesson.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Absolutely fabulous, Pat.... I always love your posts and your pictures are terrific... Love the way you did that Mosaic... Very creative.

Lady Liberty makes me chill --with pride--for my country everytime I see her.... Glad you took that boat ride and shared it with us...

Thanks.
Hugs,
Betsy

Tales From My Empty Nest said...

I have only been to New York one time and I remember my disappointment at not getting to see the Statue of Liberty on that trip. Your pictures were wonderful. Thanks for the tour that I missed many years ago. Love & blessings from NC!

Mary Lou said...

Great Pat. I've never seen the Statue of Liberty in person. This gives me a sense of exactly how large it is! VERY large! I loved seeing it with you.

steviewren said...

You took some great pictures Pat. I hope the cruise helped you to cool down. Maybe this heat wave will break soon. The temperature was right around 98-99 all last week. There was a shower tonight. I'm not sure if that will mean cooler temps tomorrow or higher humidity.

Joanne Kennedy said...

There she is! The lady herself! She touches me in ways I can not explain.

The first time I went to New York I was able to climb up her and look out her crown. I have to admit it was pretty scary though. Such a narrow, winding and high stairwell. I kept wondering what would happen if we all needed to get out of there quickly. It just wouldn't happen.

I'm so happy I did that but doubt if I would again :)

When I was on my cruise last year and we went by her I decided to stay in my room and view her alone from my balcony rather then with everyone else on deck. I wanted to share time alone with her. Strange sounding I know but it's true.

Love your photos. I have to tell you that even though it's super hot there this summer I would kill to be there with you.

It's been super nice here in CA so far with temps in the mid to upper 70's. Not normal for us but I love it.

Hugs,
Joanne

http://jackieinsurrey.blogspot.co.uk/ said...

Morning Pat I remember when I was in NY with my daughter in 1996,we went on a helicopter trip which took us round the lady Statue, breathtaking experience. I also had a penfriend Stephanie Armiger,( although since blogging I have neglected her) a composer and writer of childrens books,and she has written a musical about the Statue of Liberty.

Hope you found the boat trip a great way to relax and cool down.

Jackie in UK.

My Dream Canvas said...

lovely mosaic. I am hosting a CSN Giveaway and would love for you to stop by.

diane b said...

A familiar landmark for everyone in the world. I didn't realise how big she is. Thanks for the info.

eileeninmd said...

Wonderful post and I loved your photos and mosaic of the Statue of Liberty!

A Bit of the Blarney said...

I do so enjoy my visits here!!! Very nice! Cathy

Tracy said...

This is so beautiful... I could just cry! Wonderful photos, Pat. Glad you got to keep cool while seeing our great Lady up close & personal. Happy Week, my friend :o) ((HUGS)) Oh, you were wondering about that special rocky beach we visited the other weekend. The rocks are so large it was not easy to see any signs of broken shells, glass or anything--like there are these things, by fallen between the rocks. Fascinating place--we have to go back!

Old Kitty said...

The etour link is brilliant!! Thank you for that! I never knew it had such close links with Mr Eiffel!! It's an incredible feat of engineering and ingenuity! It's one of those iconic symbols that I think has somehow always been there - that it's somehow always been part of the NYC skyline - that it somehow grew out of the sea!!

But of course there's a fascinating history as to how it came to be - all down to some very determined Franco-American cooperation! And how the creation and building of the pedestal was mainly reliant on funds and donations from the public! And I never knew the design of the flame changed over the decades!! Fascinating stuff.

And do think she was once copper brown!

A wonderful symbol. Thank you for sharing!

Take care
x

Laura in Paris said...

I love the pictures of your post!

Donna @ The House on the Corner said...

So Awesome!! How lucky you are to be able to visit it first hand!! I'm sure it's breathtaking in person.

Pat said...

Love this great post and hope you are staying cool. My first view of our beautiful lady of Liberty was in 1990 from the viewing floor of the Twin Trade Towers. It was my first-ever trip to NYC with my daughter. What a thrill!

SavoringTime in the Kitchen said...

Beautiful post, Pat! She really is an awesome sight and precious symbol.

Ciao Chow Linda said...

When I first saw the picture, I thought "Oh no, don't tell me she went inside the statue on such a hot day." But you were smart as usual, and enjoyed the breezes from a boat. Beautiful shots of the lady.

black eyed susans kitchen said...

Beautiful post Pat! The style, grace and meaning of this landmark in our harbor always create an emotional feeling for me. Your mosaic adds just one more layer of artistic insight to a beloved landmark.

RoeH said...

I walked up to her crown one year long ago. Like 1964. The torch wasn't open then. I wanted to go up there. Next time I was there I wanted no part of those stairs anymore. But neat experience. France hates us so much now for whatever stupid reason, they're probably sorry they gave her to us.

Betty said...

Beautiful pictures. She's really something to see isn't she? I love flying into Newark Airport and seeing her from above. There's one runway that runs parallel to the Hudson River and the view is amazing. It's sad though to see the World Trade Center gone.

Unknown said...

I am a native NYer and the first time I went to the statue was last year when a friend from Scotland came to stay with me. I took her to the statue and it was great....if she didn't come here, I doubt I would have gone. I guess I just took it for granted before that but it truly was an amazing experience

GailO said...

I think this statue is my favorite symbol of our country...not only is it beautiful but it speaks of our melting pot culture...

mrs. c said...

YOur posts are like going on a NC tour! I love to see where you are going next. The first time I saw Lady Liberty was on the ferry at night and it was marvelous! Hoave a great week.

Claudia said...

I lived on Staten Island for four years (college) with a view of Lady Liberty. She always filled me with awe. Lovely post!

The Charm of Home said...

What an awesome post. Love your photography. This is just beautiful. I have never seen the Statue of Liberty. Thanks for stopping by. I posted the answers to the Epcot architecture quiz. It is already the third post down, it had been busy today.
Sherry

The Quintessential Magpie said...

The pictures in this post of Lady Liberty are so beautiful they make me want to cry!

XO,

Sheila :-)

Anonymous said...

I have only seen her from the air, but have always been awed by her and what she represents.

Glad you took the photos pre-Dilbert. (Did you read it today?) :)

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Such clear, striking photos! I would love to see it in person! It would humble me to see it up close! ♥

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Lucy -- I'm sure France doesn't hate the US! They might disagree with our country on certain political issues but the French people are very friendly to Americans!

Donna said...

I loved seeing the Statue of Liberty when we visited NY. It's breathtaking. Your photos are wonderful.

Thanks for showing us!
Hugs,
Donna

Sarah said...

Pat, thank for sharing this trip and the photos of Lady Liberty. When I was in NY in June, I had the joy of attending a party on a dinner cruise. It was the first time I'd been that close to Lady Liberty at night. It was truly magical. My very first trip to NYC was in 1965 for the World's Fair. I remember walking up the steps to the crown. Wonderful memory. Thanks for sparking it. ~ Sarah

A 2 Z said...

I'm not American but when I read your post I wanted to become one! Very inspiring! I've seen her a few times flying over NY but never went for a close-up. Thanks for sharing.

Anne-Marie

Lisa@GrandmasBriefs said...

One day I'll get to see her in person. We are so lucky to have such monuments in our midst. I love that you shared her real name, something I never learned in all my years. Thank you!

Pondside said...

I'm always surprised at the size of this statue when I see a photo of it in context. It's huge!! I'd love to come into NYC by ship to see it as all those immigrants saw it.

Vagabonde said...

I like the Statue of Liberty so much but was not able to visit it. I took my daughter to New York City for her 18th birthday and we were going to visit it, but this was the year that the budget had run out and it was closed. Last year for the 4th July I wrote a post on the Statue with its history. What surprised me was that when a poll was taken it was found out that only 2% of the American people know that it is a gift from the citizens of France. Here is the link to my post on the statue: http://avagabonde.blogspot.com/2009/07/4th-july-and-statue-of-liberty.html.

Vagabonde said...

After writing my comment I read the comments that you have already received and read Lucy’s saying that French people hate America – what a terrible thing to say. I wonder if she has ever been to France to say that French people hate America. French people did not like Bush politics. French people do not mix politic and the citizens of the US. I could give her the links to many blogs of friends who have just been to France and loved it and were treated very well. I know many American people who live in France (some come to my blog) and they never complain – they love to live there. I don’t think they would if they were “hated” by the French. As a French person,this comment makes me so sad.

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

Even in photos, she's breathtaking!

We used to sing those words set to music in elementary school. I still remember the tune.

Sheila said...

Hi Pat - Thanks for thinking of me and to answer your question our farm is a Quarter Section which is 160 acres. We have 60 acres of trees and 100 acres of seeded land. Our house is close to the road on 3 acres. My husband also farms his parent's land which is about the same size and his brothers 130 acres. Yes the top picture is on our land. You've given me an idea for a post! Thanks!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Vagabonde I agree wholehartedly with you. I'm not sure why Lucy said what she did but I did comment back to her here telling her the same thing you said.

One of my brothers often attends meetings in France and he told me how warm and welcoming the French have been to him and his family. Once he had trouble finding an address in Paris and a stranger went out of her way to actually take him to the building as she said it was difficult to find.

Vee said...

Oh yes! You definitely are and now I'm a follower, too.

My name is Riet said...

Hi Pat. What a beautiful post. I love the statue of Liberty and be sure that all of the rest of the world knows that this stands for the United States of America. Beautiful pictures. Good idea to go on a boatride. In this country it has also been so hot and humid. Since yesterday it cooled down a bit, thank goodness for that.
Have a great week.

La Petite Gallery said...

I have painted her three times and sold 2 and donated one for the
local Humane society auction. It
is someting I look for when the plane lands in NYC. I didn't know about the torch. Thanks for another wonderful post of the world's Greatest city.

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

Gorgeous mosaic!!! I first visited the Statue of Liberty on our 8th grade school trip. My husband and I visited again about 10 years ago and at that time walked down the steps. Probably wouldn't do that again.

Thanks for the beautiful photos!

Linda said...

You are so lucky to live in a place with so much history. I went to NYC many years ago and was in awe. We visited the Statue of Liberty then and I still get goosebumps when I think of her!!

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

It is lovely. I have never seen her in NY but I did see the other one in Paris France this spring.

lissa said...

I've only see the statue at distance but she's still a wonder even in photos

Anonymous said...

Great post--I love your photos, especially of the Statue of Liberty!

Anonymous said...

Awesome post!

Paz xoxo