Ellis Island, Lady Liberty, Manhattan NY & Jersey City, NJ

                                       Fun Facts about the Statue of Liberty

If you have ever visited the Statue of Liberty in person, you already know she's an imposing figure, but consider the following fun facts:


• Official dedication ceremonies held on Thursday, October 28, 1886


• Total overall height from the base of the pedestal foundation to the tip of the torch is 305 feet, 6 inches


• Height of the Statue from her heel to the top of her head is 111 feet, 6 inches


• The face on the Statue of Liberty measures more than 8 feet tall


• There are 154 steps from the pedestal to the head of the Statue of Liberty


• A tablet held in her left hand measures 23' 7" tall and 13' 7" wide inscribed with the date JULY IV MDCCLXXVI (July 4, 1776)


• The Statue has a 35-foot waistline


• There are seven rays on her crown, one for each of the seven continents, each measuring up to 9 feet in length and weighing as much as 150 pounds


• Total weight of the Statue of Liberty is 225 tons (or 450,000 pounds)


• At the feet of the Statue lie broken shackles of oppression and tyranny


• During the restoration completed in 1986, the new torch was carefully covered with thin sheets of 24k gold


• The exterior copper covering of the Statue of Liberty is 3/32 of an inch thick (less than the thickness of two pennies) and the light green color (called a patina) is the result of natural weathering of the copper


Our journey from the Atlantic into New York Harbor was filled with boats of all sizes. Huge ships coming and going, freighters, container ships, sailboats, power boats, fishing boats, tour boats, water taxis and cruise ships, it is a very busy port. And the thrill of seeing Lady Liberty from our own boat was a pretty amazing feeling.

Liberty Landing Marina is just to the left in the harbor before you enter the Hudson River. We arrived on Sunday 7/18/10 and will stay for a week, leaving on the 25th and heading up the Hudson River. The marina is on the New Jersey side of the harbor with Manhattan across the water. A short ride on the water taxi takes you across to all the sounds and sights of the city. We made about 3 trips into Manhattan to sight see. I have tried to capture in pictures some of the architecture, parks, and emotion that make up this exciting city.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A visit to St. Paul's chapels was a touching experience.  St. Paul's was the sanctuary for  rest, prayers, and food for the thousands of rescue workers after 911.  Visitors still flood this chapel in memory of all that was lost on that tragic day.  And out of all that was bad, rose the spirit and love from the people of this great country.

Walking toward the southern tip of Manhattan, we came to Battery Park and Robert F. Wagner Jr. Park.   In the middle of blocks and blocks of concrete, glass and steel, sprouts a beautiful park offering much needed shade from the heat & humidity.