Liberty Island and the Statue of Liberty
"Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free." These iconic words, inscribed on a bronze plaque within the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty, encapsulate the enduring symbolism of this majestic monument and the island it calls home. Liberty Island and the Statue of Liberty stand as potent emblems of freedom, democracy, and the welcoming spirit of the United States. This article explores the rich history of Liberty Island, from its earliest inhabitants to its transformation into the iconic landmark it is today, forever intertwined with the story of the Statue of Liberty.
The story of Liberty Island and the Statue of Liberty begins long before the arrival of Europeans. For centuries, the island served as a valuable resource for the indigenous peoples of the region. In 994 A.D., the Lenape Native Americans, members of the Algonquian tribes, frequented the island, drawn to its abundant oyster beds. The island, along with nearby Ellis Island and Black Tom Island, was one of the "Oyster Islands" in New York Harbor, a crucial source of sustenance for the native population. These resourceful people harvested shellfish and hunted small game, living in harmony with the island’s natural bounty. The tribes inhabiting the surrounding areas, including the Hackensack, Tappan, and Canarsee, likely spoke a Munsee dialect of the Algonquian Delaware language, fostering a sense of connection and shared heritage.
The landscape of Upper New York Bay during this period was characterized by vast tidal flats teeming with oyster beds. These beds proved vital not only to the indigenous population but would also become a significant resource for early European settlers. However, the oyster population eventually dwindled due to landfilling, overfishing, disease, and pollution. Recent efforts are underway to restore the oyster beds, reflecting a renewed commitment to environmental stewardship and a desire to reconnect with the island’s natural history.
The 16th century marked a turning point in the history of the region, as European powers began seeking a westward passage to the Indian subcontinent. This quest for trade routes and expansion would profoundly impact the lives of the Native American tribes. In 1609, Henry Hudson, commissioned by the Dutch, sailed into New York Harbor, establishing a Dutch colony along the Hudson River. The arrival of Europeans initiated a period of trade between the natives and the settlers. In 1614, a formal trading agreement was established, granting the Dutch exclusive rights to collect furs and pelts in exchange for essential goods such as cast iron pots, axes, and knives.
However, this period of relative cooperation was short-lived. By the mid-1600s, occupation, conflict, and disease forced the local tribes to migrate north and west, paving the way for increased European colonization. In 1664, the English seized control of New Netherland from the Dutch, renaming it New York. The island, formerly an "Oyster Island", was granted to Captain Robert Needham, who later sold it to Isaac Bedloe, a Dutch colonist and merchant.
The island’s name and purpose underwent several transformations in the following years. For a time, it was known as "Love Island," with the condition that it should serve as a safe haven for individuals facing civil charges. After Bedloe’s death, the island reverted to "Bedloe’s Island." In 1732, it was sold to New York merchants Adolph Philipse and Henry Lane, and the City of New York assumed control, utilizing it as a quarantine station to inspect incoming ships for smallpox.
In 1746, Archibald Kennedy acquired the island, constructing a house and lighthouse and advocating for a name change to "Kennedy Island." He even advertised the island for rent, highlighting its potential as a tavern and its abundance of oysters and rabbits. However, the City of New York reclaimed control in 1755, continuing its use as a quarantine station.
During the American Revolution, the island served as an asylum for Tory refugees loyal to Great Britain. In April 1776, colonial forces attacked the island, burning down the buildings. After the Revolution, the island’s ownership continued to shift. From 1793 to 1796, the French, allies of the colonists, controlled the island as an isolation station.
Recognizing its strategic importance, the young American government sought to fortify New York Harbor. In 1796, ownership was transferred to the State of New York, and by 1807, construction began on an eleven-point star-shaped fort known as the "Works on Bedloe’s Island." This fort was later renamed Fort Wood in 1814 in honor of Eleazer D. Wood, a hero of the War of 1812. Fort Wood joined a network of fortifications designed to protect New York City from invasion, including Fort Hamilton, Fort Wadsworth, and Castle Clinton.
In 1834, an agreement between New York and New Jersey placed Bedloe’s Island within New York, while New Jersey retained rights to the surrounding waters and submerged land. Fort Wood served as an ordnance depot from 1851 to 1876, experiencing periods of both intense activity and near-desertion. The army remained stationed on the island until 1937.
The seeds of the Statue of Liberty were sown after the Union victory in the Civil War. Edouard de Laboulaye, a French political thinker, proposed the idea of a statue representing liberty as a gift from France to the United States, commemorating the centennial of American independence and celebrating the friendship between the two nations. Auguste Bartholdi, a French sculptor, embraced Laboulaye’s vision and began designing "Liberty Enlightening the World" in 1870.
Bartholdi visited the United States in 1871 and selected Bedloe’s Island as the ideal location for the Statue. The island’s visibility to all ships entering New York Harbor, which Bartholdi considered the "gateway to America," made it a perfect setting.
Construction of the Statue commenced in France in 1876. The arm holding the torch was displayed at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, and the head and shoulders were showcased at the Paris Universal Exposition in 1878. The entire Statue was completed and assembled in Paris between 1881 and 1884. Meanwhile, construction of the pedestal began in the United States in 1884.
On July 4, 1884, the Statue was presented to the United States minister to France, Levi P. Morton, in Paris. It was then disassembled and shipped to New York Harbor aboard the French Navy ship Isère, arriving on June 17, 1885. However, the pedestal was not yet finished.
Once the pedestal was complete in 1886, a construction crew, many of whom were recent immigrants, reassembled the Statue. The iron framework was reconstructed, and the Statue’s copper skin was sculpted using the repoussé technique. The Statue’s face remained veiled until the official dedication.
On October 28, 1886, "Liberty Enlightening the World" was officially unveiled. Despite the wet and foggy weather, a million New Yorkers gathered to celebrate. Parades, music, and speeches filled the air, and the dedication ceremony took place beneath the Statue.
President Grover Cleveland placed the Statue under the administration of the U.S. Lighthouse Board, categorizing it as a federal lighthouse. However, the Statue was not designed for this purpose and proved ineffective. In 1901, it was transferred to the U.S. Department of War.
In 1937, the National Park Service gained control of the island and embarked on a project to redesign the landscape to complement the Statue. Norman T. Newton, a landscape architect, developed a master plan to transform Bedloe’s Island into a welcoming park. This plan involved demolishing army buildings and creating lawns and promenades to enhance the island’s appeal.
New Deal programs, including the Public Works Administration, enabled the National Park Service to begin implementing Newton’s plan in 1937. Work continued until the outbreak of World War II, when resources were diverted to the war effort. In 1948, Congress allocated funds to refurbish the Statue and the island. Abandoned structures were removed, trees were planted, and pathways were paved.
In 1956, Bedloe’s Island was officially renamed Liberty Island through a joint resolution in Congress, signed into law by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. This renaming symbolized the island’s transformation into a park and its enduring association with the Statue of Liberty.
In 1965, Ellis Island, the iconic gateway for millions of immigrants, was added to the Statue of Liberty National Monument. From 1892 to 1954, over 12 million immigrants passed through Ellis Island, making it a significant landmark in American history.
In 1982, President Ronald Reagan appointed Lee Iacocca to head the Statue of Liberty – Ellis Island Foundation, tasked with raising funds for the Statue’s centennial restoration in 1986. A team of architects, engineers, and conservators from France and the United States collaborated to ensure the Statue’s preservation. The restoration involved repairing the copper skin, replacing rusted iron armature bars, and replacing the damaged torch with a replica of Bartholdi’s original design.
The restoration was completed in 1986, and the Statue’s centennial was celebrated on July 4. Today, Liberty Island and the Statue of Liberty, along with Ellis Island, form the Statue of Liberty National Monument, a testament to freedom, immigration, and the enduring bond between France and the United States. Visitors can access the monument via the Statue of Liberty – Ellis Island Ferry system, exploring the grounds, visiting the Information Center, and taking audio or guided tours. Ellis Island’s museum offers a poignant glimpse into the experiences of the millions who passed through its doors, seeking a new life in America. The island is a perfect place for Americans and foreigners to visit.