Passport to Freedom

Since living back on the east coast our adventures exploring America's history have been fascinating and our trip to Liberty and Ellis Islands was both nostalgic and memorable. 



trains that used to run to where we live

old train station and clock

Manhattan

Our day started with a quick drive to Liberty Park Island where we waited at an old train station for our ferry ride to Ellis Island and then to the Statue of Liberty.  It was a cool, beautiful day with amazing views of both the Manhattan skyline and the New York Harbor.

One of the best parts of any trip to the city is a ferry ride on the Hudson River.  The views are breathtaking especially today since we are so close to the islands that sit in the middle of the New York Harbor.

Ernie and the kids and Manhattan

                                            view of the train station from the ferry

Ellis Island

on our way to Liberty Island

After touring the original building where over 12 million immigrants entered through we headed to see the Statue of Liberty.  We enjoyed Ellis Island and all of the interesting history.  It was neat to see and hear about the hardships and struggles so many went through to begin their life in America.

first up-close view of the statue

inside the pedestal and Will picking her nose

10th floor observation deck

 

famous sculptor Gustave Eiffel

We learned a lot of very interesting facts while we visited the statue here's a few of our favorites:

1. Lady Liberty is holding a tablet which says, "JULY IV MDCCLXXVI," (July 4, 1776)

2.  She was a gift from France to remember our alliance against England during the Revolutionary War and was completely constructed and sculpted in France and then brought to the U.S in 1885.

3.  She is made of copper and is green because copper turns green when it is oxidized.

4.  The seven points on her crown symbolize the seven seas and continents.

5.  A few more symbols

 

-25 windows in the crown represent: "natural minerals" of the earth

- Toga represents: The Ancient Republic of Rome

- Torch represents: Enlightenment

- Chains underfoot represent: Liberty crushing the chains of slavery

- Location of alternate entrance: Sole of Liberty's right foot

6. Steps to crown: 354 steps (22 stories)

Below is the poem written and inscribed on a plaque located inside the statue:

New Colossus



Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,

With conquering limbs astride from land to land;

Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand

A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame

Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name

Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand

Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command

The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.

"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she

With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"