For most Americans and tourists who visit the United States, she is a larger than life landmark looking over a land that prides itself on freedom. Most pictures are taken on zoom, so we see her in detail. We know that people can climb into her crown and look across the Hudson River. Then the day comes when we go to see her in person, and we discover that the Statue of Liberty is a large landmark in our imaginations. She’s just not as big as we imagined.
She is easily the most famous landmark in America. She was a gift from France in 1886, and she sits on the Hudson River near Ellis Island. Therefore she shares her landmark fame with the legendary island that was the gateway to America for millions of immigrants. Although she stands 151 feet tall, it just seems diminutive as you take the ferry to her base. It could be the massive size of the river, or the huge and looming city of New York as her backdrop, but the effect is a bit disillusioning.
Regardless of her stature, she is still breathtaking to visit. Along with a tour through Ellis Island, the landmark reaffirms the hard work and dedication of the country’s founding fathers to freedom and a better way of life. Lady Liberty has been through many renovations and repairs. In 1982, it was discovered that the landmark’s arm had been installed incorrectly, so it was swaying too much in the wind. Also, her head was off center by two feet, so one of her crown rays was rubbing the arm on windy days. It’s surprising the think that the statue sways in the wind! She has since been restored, and people visit the landmark daily to reaffirm their pride in America.