Fort Wood and the Pedestal
The foundation of the statue was laid inside Fort Wood, a disused army base on Bedloe’s Island, now known as Liberty Island. The Fort is shaped like an 11-point star, and the pedestal was placed on top of it. The Statue of Liberty faces southeast to greet the ships entering New York City harbor from the Atlantic. American architect Richard Morris Hunt was commissioned to design the pedestal in 1881. He proposed a 114 ft. (35 m) pedestal, but due to lack of funding, the committee reduced it to 89 ft. (27 m).
The pedestal’s design incorporates elements from classical and Aztec architecture. Originally, it was to be made of solid granite, but the plans were revised, and it was constructed with concrete. The concrete mass was the largest poured at that time.
Finally, in 1886, everything was ready. The statue was assembled, and the dedication ceremony was held on October 28, 1886.
Renovations and the Statue’s Original Torch
Bartholdi’s original design called for the torch not to be lighted but to be made of copper and gilded to shine in the daylight. However, the torch underwent many modifications in its first 50 years. By 1931, Bartholdi’s design was barely recognizable. The copper was removed and replaced with amber-colored cathedral glass, and numerous holes were cut out on the torch and the surrounding balcony.