coppertalk

Happy Birthday to Me!

by Lady Liberty

On October 28, 1886, a dedication ceremony was held in my honor on Liberty Island, New York.  That was 125 years ago.  As we prepare to celebrate our Declaration of Independence this weekend, I thought I’d share a few insights on “Coppertalk” about how my exterior has withstood the test of time.

First of all, I’d like to introduce myself.  I am the symbol of American freedom.  I also represent many years of friendship between France and the United States as I was presented to our great nation as a gift from the people of France.  My torch and tablet are inscribed with the date of the American Declaration of Independence, 1776.  I was designed by Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi and my exterior beauty remains with the help of 31 tons (62,000 pounds) of copper, a mighty metal that is a sustainable and recyclable material I proudly wear to this day.

Copper has helped to maintain my image, strength and beauty for more than a century, despite harsh sea winds, snow, ice and rain.  I’ve oxidized during this time and now bear a beautiful green patina.  Although the U.S. Congress appropriated funds in 1906 to paint over my lovely copper frame, protests erupted.  Thankfully, this idea was abandoned.

On my 50^th birthday, maintenance workers constructed a 250-foot copper apron over my pedestal to prevent water seepage.  As I neared 100, my torch, arm, and shoulder were repaired.  Workers erected a scaffold around my entire frame and 500 skilled laborers scrubbed my copper exterior clean without removing the patina.

Other copper facts about me include:

80 tons of copper sheet, originally about a quarter-inch thick, were cut into 300 pieces and hand-hammered in place around my frame.

The copper sheeting is 3/32nds of an inch thick – or the thickness of two pennies placed together.

Copper skin sections are attached to my armature, the secondary frame that conforms to my contour by 1,500 U-shaped copper saddles – 300,000 copper rivets were used because copper fastenings ensure structural stability.

My copper sheeting has naturally oxidized over time and created a patina (a green-color) that protects me from wind and wear.

It has been told that my statue represented the largest use of copper in a single structure at the time I was erected.  When I underwent a full renovation in 1986, the copper corrosion weight was only 5% – after 100 years of battling the elements.  I’d say that’s a testament to my sustainability – with the help of copper!

Here are some additional facts about my figure:

Ground to tip of torch:  305 feet, one inch.

Length of hand:  16 feet, five inches.

Index finger:  Eight feet.

Width of head:  10 feet.

Width of eye:  Two feet, six inches.

Length of nose:  Four feet, six inches

Width of mouth:  Three feet

Oh yes, my bust is a perfect 36 — feet!