As we sailed across the harbor, we plotted our strategy. Only a limited number of people would be able to climb up to the crown and we wanted to be part of that group. So, we positioned ourselves at the gangplank and sprinted across the walkway to the Statue's entrance. We had made it! We were in the group that would be allowed to climb to the crown.
And so the grueling climb began. The stairs leading up wind around and around and are very narrow. They are like a corkscrew. And, of course, it was hot and humid inside the Statue. But, no mind, we knew the reward would be well worth any discomfort going up. The climb took close to 30 minutes as we covered 354 steps (22 stories). But the view was spectacular! As we peered out the crown, we had a 180 degree view of Manhattan and the harbor.
Looking out one side, we could look up and see Liberty's arm extended and holding the torch. Many years ago people were allowed to climb up to the torch by a ladder, but that has been closed off for some time. Looking out the other side of the crown, we looked down and saw the book held by Liberty. The date, July IV M DCCL XXVI (July 4, 1776) was visible from this vantage point. After lots of photos and enjoying the moment we descended to the pedestal level where we learned much about the history of the Statue of Liberty. One of the things we learned as we investigated and enjoyed the magnificence of the Statue of Liberty is that there are three of them in the world. THE Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor; a replica in Paris, France and a small replica in Guam. A couple of years ago I was in Guam and located that Statue of Liberty. It is was difficult to locate and off the beaten path.
A gift to America from France to commemorate the friendship developed between the two countries during the Revolutionary War, America built the granite pedestal upon which Liberty rests; the French built and constructed the statue. Over the years there have been renovations due to wear and corrosion. The most notable is perhaps the replacement of the original torch during the 1982-1986 restoration that included the complete refurbishing of the raised arm and the replacement of the torch.
Following our time at the Statue of Liberty, we took the ferry to Ellis Island to embrace additional history. As we entered the museum there was a strong and profound sense of history as we read the signs and looked at the displays. This was the first federal immigration processing center in the United States. It served in this capacity from 1892 to 1954. Despite being subjected to intense scrutiny and long hours of processing, the immigrants kept coming.
Although we did not know their port of entry, Susan and I both added an immigrant family member that we knew had come to the United States prior to 1892 to the records at Ellis Island. I added my Great-Grandmother, Eliza Ann Braithwaite, who came to the United States from Scotland when she was just 16 years old (probably in 1856). Susan added her Great-Great-Great-Great Grandfather John Justice Knoeppel who came from Germany. This visit was a great history lesson on the early settlement of the United States.
After a long and exhausting day, we took the ferry back to Manhattan and walked to the World Trade Center. Initially we thought to pass it up, but decided since we were there we'd take the time. Wow! How impressive the Twin Towers were. We went to the very top, peered out at the city far below and enjoyed the breathtaking beauty of being so far above.
The Towers were built between 1966 and 1973. The two towers both rose to more than 100 feet higher than the Empire State Building and became the signature landscape of New York City. Owned by the Port Authority of NYC, The World Trade Center was comprised of 7 buildings located on 16 acres. At the time the World Trade Center buildings were completed they were the tallest buildings in the world! One tower stood 1362 feet high, the other 1368 feet high. This is over 100 stories!
As we looked back on the trip that took us to the World Trade Center we were very thankful that our decision had been to explore just one more icon of New York City. After the terrible events of September 11, 2001, we treasure the pictures we took that day and the experience we had. It is one of the most amazing opportunities we've had in our travels.
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