The Statue of Liberty has stood on an island in New York Harbor for more than 100 years. Her raised torch and dignified expression have given comfort to many immigrants upon their arrival.
The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of freedom. The people of France gave us this great gift. Americans loved the statue. Many sightseers visited it through the years. All types of weather had pounded on it. Pollution had affected it. These things took a toll on the statue's appearance. The torch needed to be replaced. The rays of the crown needed to be made stronger. People noticed that Lady Liberty needed a makeover!
A foundation was formed to raise funds for the project. This group wanted to restore Ellis Island, too. Many immigrants entered the U.S. through Ellis Island. People contributed millions of dollars to the restoration project. The team included engineers, architects, historians, and others. The team did lots of planning for this big job.