1. Introduction: Defining “Built” – When Did Lady Liberty Take Shape?
A common question about the magnificent Statue of Liberty is straightforward: “When was it built?” While there’s a definitive date for her official unveiling, the answer isn’t just a single year.
The creation of Lady Liberty was a complex, international project spanning roughly two decades from conception to completion.
“Built” involved stages of dreaming, designing, fundraising, constructing the statue in France, building its pedestal in America, shipping it across the ocean, and finally assembling it in New York Harbor. This article provides a clear timeline of these key phases to fully answer when this iconic symbol was brought to life.
2. Phase 1: The Idea and Design (1865 – Early 1870s)
The journey began not with copper and iron, but with an idea.
- The Concept (Circa 1865): The seed was planted around 1865 by Édouard René de Laboulaye, a French historian, law professor, and staunch abolitionist. Following the end of the American Civil War and the abolition of slavery, Laboulaye proposed that France create a monument for the United States to celebrate American independence, the nations’ enduring friendship, and the shared ideal of liberty.
- Choosing the Artist (Early 1870s): French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi was enthusiastic about Laboulaye’s idea and became the project’s artistic driving force.
- Site Selection (1871): Bartholdi traveled to the United States to promote the project and, importantly, selected Bedloe’s Island (now Liberty Island) in the middle of New York Harbor as the ideal location, envisioning immigrants sailing past the statue as they arrived. Design work and small models progressed during this period.
3. Phase 2: Construction in France – Crafting the Statue (Approx. 1876 – 1884)
This phase marks the physical construction of the statue itself in Paris.
- Workshop Setup (c. 1875-1876): Work began in earnest in the Gaget, Gauthier & Cie workshop in Paris.
- Crafting the Skin (1876-1884): Craftsmen meticulously shaped over 300 large copper sheets using a technique called repoussé (hammering the metal from the reverse side into wooden molds) to create the statue’s outer “skin.” This skin is remarkably thin (about 2.4 mm or 3/32 inch).
- Engineering the Skeleton (c. 1881-1884): Gustave Eiffel (before his famous tower) was brought in to design the ingenious internal iron pylon and flexible skeletal framework. This structure would support the copper skin, bear the statue’s weight, and allow it to withstand the harbor winds.
- Resource: See how this massive structure came together. [Search YouTube “Statue of Liberty construction Paris” or “Statue of Liberty internal structure Eiffel”]
4. Milestone: Completion in Paris & Symbolic Presentation (July 1884)
After years of dedicated work by French artisans, the full statue was completed and stood assembled in Paris.
- Finished Structure (July 1884): The construction of “Liberty Enlightening the World” was officially finished.
- Formal Presentation: The completed statue was symbolically presented to the American Ambassador to France in Paris, signifying the fulfillment of France’s promise. It remained standing in Paris for several months, becoming a popular attraction.
5. Phase 3: The Transatlantic Journey – Disassembly and Shipping (1885)
Getting the colossal statue from Paris to New York Harbor was a monumental task in itself.
- Dismantling (Early 1885): The statue was carefully disassembled into approximately 350 individual pieces.
- Packing: These pieces were meticulously labeled and packed into over 200 massive wooden crates.
- The Voyage (May-June 1885): The crates were transported by train and then loaded onto the French naval vessel Isère. The ship departed from Rouen, France, in May 1885 and, despite stormy weather, arrived to great fanfare in New York Harbor on June 17, 1885.
6. Phase 4: Building the Foundation – Constructing the Pedestal in America (1883 – April 1886)
While the statue awaited shipment and then arrival, work was underway (though sometimes delayed) on its American-funded base.
- Pedestal Design: American architect Richard Morris Hunt designed the massive granite pedestal.
- Construction Start (1883): Work began on Bedloe’s Island, utilizing the star-shaped walls of the existing Fort Wood as part of the foundation.
- Fundraising Challenges (1884-1885): Funding for the pedestal lagged significantly until publisher Joseph Pulitzer launched his famous fundraising campaign in The New York World.
- Pedestal Completion (April 1886): The pedestal was finally finished, paving the way for the statue’s reassembly.
- Resource: Explore the story of the base. [Search “Statue of Liberty pedestal construction history NPS”]
7. Phase 5: Final Assembly in New York Harbor (April – October 1886)
With the pedestal ready and the statue pieces on site, the final construction phase began.
- Re-Erecting the Framework: Workers began by reconstructing Eiffel’s iron framework within the pedestal.
- Attaching the Skin: Piece by piece, the copper skin sections were lifted into place and attached to the framework, gradually revealing the familiar figure of Lady Liberty against the New York skyline. This intricate work took several months.
8. The Culmination: Official Dedication Day (October 28, 1886)
This is the single most important date marking the statue’s completion and public presentation.
- Inauguration Day: On October 28, 1886, the Statue of Liberty was formally dedicated in a ceremony presided over by U.S. President Grover Cleveland.
- Celebrations: Despite rainy and foggy weather, the day was marked by a large naval parade, speeches, and celebrations, officially presenting Lady Liberty to the nation and the world.
9. Timeline Summary: Key Dates in the Statue’s Creation
For a quick overview, here are the essential milestones:
| Key Event | Approximate Date / Year |
|---|---|
| Idea Proposed by Laboulaye | ~1865 |
| Bartholdi Selects Site in NY | 1871 |
| Statue Construction Begins in Paris | ~1875 / 1876 |
| Eiffel Designs Internal Structure | ~1881 |
| Statue Completed in Paris | July 1884 |
| Pedestal Construction Begins in USA | 1883 |
| Statue Arrives in NY Harbor | June 1885 |
| Pedestal Completed | April 1886 |
| Statue Reassembly Begins on Pedestal | April 1886 |
| Statue Officially Dedicated | October 28, 1886 |
10. Conclusion: A Decade of Work Culminating in 1886
So, when was the Statue of Liberty built? While the idea originated two decades earlier, the main period of physical construction spanned roughly ten years, from approximately 1876 to 1886.
This involved meticulous work in France, a challenging transatlantic journey, and the final determined push to build the pedestal and reassemble the icon in America.
While construction finished in phases, the definitive date marking her completion and presentation to the world is her official dedication on October 28, 1886. It was a remarkable feat of art, engineering, fundraising, and international cooperation.