Recognized as the symbol of freedom throughout the globe, the Statue of Liberty Monument carries a unique definition and fascinating history. The statue, a gift from France, was conceived to be a part of an American centennial celebration. Funding, design and transportation problems delayed delivery until the summer of 1885. Sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi employed the help of the famous structural designer, Alexandre Gustave Eiffel. Shipped in 350 pieces, the 111 foot tall statue arrived a year before the American built base was complete.
Once under the charge of the U.S. Lighthouse Board, the copper clad statue and its star-shaped footprint was declared a national monument in 1924. Jurisdiction was passed on to the National Park Service and eventually included all of Liberty Island, and nearby Ellis Island. President Reagan appointed Lee Iacocca to lead a 1980s, 87 million dollar restoration. Declared as a United Nations Heritage Site, the freshly refurbished Statue of Liberty was reopened on July 5th, 1986.