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Have you ever wondered why the Statue of Liberty stands tall, not just as a symbol of freedom, but as a carefully crafted legacy by secret societies and political powerhouses? While you might know about the gift from France, what you don’t know is the thrilling tale of Freemasons, Whigs, and influential figures like Gustave Eiffel—yes, the man behind the Eiffel Tower! Let’s uncover the hidden forces that made this monument possible, and discover a side of history rarely talked about.

Where is the Statue of Liberty?

The Statue of Liberty is located on Liberty Island, a small island in New York Harbor, within the state of New York, USA. Positioned at the mouth of the Hudson River, it overlooks the bustling waters of the harbor and faces Lower Manhattan, offering a stunning view of the New York City skyline. Its strategic location made it a welcoming symbol for millions of immigrants arriving in America by sea, serving as a beacon of hope and freedom.

Liberty Island lies near Ellis Island, another significant landmark in the history of American immigration. Together, these islands form part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument. Although the statue is technically within New York’s boundaries, New Jersey is also visible from the island, and the waters surrounding it are under the jurisdiction of both states. This location emphasizes the statue’s role as a national symbol of unity, greeting those who approach from the sea.

A Gift from France – But Who Really Planned It?

You might already know that the Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to the United States in 1886 to celebrate freedom and democracy. But who came up with the idea? The story starts with a man named Édouard René de Laboulaye. He was a French historian, politician, and—here’s the twist—a Freemason. Freemasons were part of a worldwide fraternity known for their influence and secretive rituals. Laboulaye believed that liberty was a sacred ideal, and he wanted to honor the friendship between France and the United States.

But was Laboulaye working alone? Not at all. He teamed up with the famous sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, the man who actually designed the statue. What most people don’t know is that Bartholdi was also a Freemason. That’s right—the idea and the design of the Statue of Liberty came from men deeply connected to this mysterious society.

The brilliant sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi

The brilliant French sculptor whose vision brought Lady Liberty to life, was deeply influenced by Masonic ideals. Born in 1834 in Colmar, France, Bartholdi showed a talent for art and architecture from a young age. But his dream wasn’t just to create beautiful sculptures; he wanted to craft something monumental, something that would stand the test of time.

When Bartholdi met Édouard Laboulaye, the French historian who dreamed of a statue representing liberty, Bartholdi seized the opportunity. He envisioned a colossal figure of a woman holding a torch, symbolizing enlightenment, to be placed at the gateway to America. But Bartholdi's ambition went beyond just designing a statue—he sought to convey a message of friendship and freedom between France and the United States.

Bartholdi’s design combined classical inspiration with modern engineering. His collaboration with Gustave Eiffel ensured the statue’s durability, while his Masonic roots shaped the statue’s symbolism, embodying values of brotherhood and hope. Despite challenges, Bartholdi’s dedication made the Statue of Liberty a timeless beacon of freedom. He even traveled to the United States himself to find the perfect location for his creation, choosing Bedloe’s Island (now Liberty Island) as the statue’s home.

The Genius Behind the Framework: Gustave Eiffel

You know Gustave Eiffel as the mastermind behind the Eiffel Tower, but did you know that he also played a pivotal role in the Statue of Liberty? When sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi needed someone to design the internal structure that would support the towering statue, he turned to Eiffel. The statue’s copper exterior was stunning, but it needed a strong and flexible skeleton to hold it up against New York’s winds and weather.

Gustave Eiffel, an engineer of great renown, designed the intricate iron framework that allowed the statue to remain sturdy without adding excessive weight. It’s thanks to Eiffel’s ingenuity that the Statue of Liberty still stands tall today. But there’s more—Eiffel’s involvement wasn’t just technical. He, too, had ties to Freemasonry, making his role even more fascinating in the context of the Masonic influence behind this grand project.

Freemasons and Their Hidden Influence in the U.S.

While Laboulaye and Bartholdi were busy in France, some very important people in the United States were working behind the scenes to bring the statue to life. And guess what? Several of them were Freemasons, too! One of the most prominent figures was Joseph Pulitzer, a newspaper tycoon who helped fund the statue’s pedestal by calling on ordinary people to donate money. Pulitzer, though not a politician, had a powerful voice and influence. And yes, you guessed it—he had connections to the Freemasons.

But Freemasons weren’t the only secret connection involved. The project needed more than just money; it needed political support. And that’s where former members of the Whig Party played a surprising role.

The Whig Party’s Role: A Secret Power Behind Liberty

While France worked on the statue itself, key political figures in the United States, many of them former members of the Whig Party, were busy ensuring that the statue had a home—and a pedestal. The Whig Party*, though long defunct by the time of the Statue of Liberty’s construction, left behind a legacy of influential leaders who believed in freedom, democracy, and the fight against tyranny. Many of these figures played critical roles in making the Statue of Liberty a reality.

Five Prominent Whigs Who Supported the Statue of Liberty Project:

William M. Evarts

A former Secretary of State and Whig leader, Evarts chaired the American Committee for the Statue of Liberty. He was instrumental in organizing fundraising campaigns to build the pedestal that would hold the statue. His eloquent speeches and strong political connections rallied support for the project.

William H. Seward

A former Whig who became Secretary of State, Seward’s vision for American growth and liberty was essential in shaping the country’s ideals, laying the groundwork for the Statue of Liberty’s symbolic importance.

John Sherman

A prominent Whig who later became a leading Republican, Sherman helped ensure Congressional support for the statue’s construction. His commitment to liberty echoed Whig ideals.

Chester A. Arthur

President when the Statue of Liberty was inaugurated, Arthur was a former Whig turned Republican. He oversaw the dedication of the statue, ensuring its place as a national symbol of freedom.

Henry Clay

Although he didn’t directly work on the Statue of Liberty, Clay was one of the most famous Whigs who championed democracy and individual liberties. His legacy of fighting for liberty shaped the ideals that inspired leaders like Evarts and Seward.

But here’s a deeper connection: William M. Evarts and Seward were rumored to have ties to Freemasonry, while Henry Clay, who was a key figure in the founding of the Whig Party, was also a Freemason. He himself knew several of the Founding Fathers who were also Freemasons and even served as Speaker of the House while James Monroe was President (1817-1825) adding another layer to this intricate story.

Were these men not only working for liberty but also for a hidden brotherhood that influenced key events in history?

A Masonic Ritual at the Heart of the Inauguration

When the Statue of Liberty was officially dedicated on October 28, 1886, the ceremony wasn’t just any ordinary inauguration. Freemasons played a prominent role in the dedication, performing rituals that reflected their values of liberty, equality, and fraternity.

Here are some of the Masonic elements incorporated into the ceremony:

Cornerstone Laying

Just like the ancient traditions of Freemasonry, a ceremonial cornerstone was laid when construction on the statue’s pedestal began. Cornerstone ceremonies are a significant part of Masonic rituals, symbolizing the foundation of liberty.

Use of Masonic Symbols

During the dedication, Masonic tools such as the square and compass were referenced, representing morality and order. These symbols are central to Freemasonry and reinforce their connection to the project.

Masonic Speeches

Many of the speeches made by key figures during the inauguration echoed Masonic ideals of brotherhood and freedom, though subtly woven into the broader theme of democracy.

These details point to the fact that Freemasons were not only involved behind the scenes but were also at the forefront of the public celebration.

The Whigs' Fight Against Tyranny

Now, why was the Whig Party so involved in the Statue of Liberty project? To understand this, we have to go back to why the Whigs existed in the first place. The Whig Party was formed in the 1830s to fight against the power of a single ruler—specifically, President Andrew Jackson, founder and first president of the Democratic Party, who they felt wielded too much authority. The Whigs wanted to ensure that no one person could have absolute control, whether in government or society.

This belief in limiting power aligned perfectly with the symbolism of the Statue of Liberty. For these former Whigs, the statue was not just a gift—it was a representation of the values they had fought for all their lives: liberty, democracy, and the fight against tyranny. The fact that many of these men found their place in the Republican Party, after the Whigs dissolved, continued this tradition.

Unveiling the Hidden History of the Whigs and Freemasons

As we end this story, the Statue of Liberty takes on a whole new meaning. It’s not just a statue; it’s a monument shaped by the hands of Freemasons and Whigs, bound together by their shared commitment to liberty and justice. And while many see the Republican Party today as a completely separate entity, it’s fascinating to realize that key members of the former Whig Party, men like William M. Evarts and John Sherman, played pivotal roles in the evolution of American politics and in the creation of this iconic symbol.

But this raises even more questions. Were there other secret influences behind the creation of the Statue of Liberty? What about the legacy of the Whig Party that continues to shape the Republican Party to this day? In our next blog, we’ll dive even deeper into the secret history of the Whigs—from their fight against tyranny to their hidden role in American politics today but for now take note of the following 10 curiosities about the majestic Statue of Liberty. Stay tuned!

Ten Hidden Curiosities About the Construction of the Statue of Liberty

Before we close our thrilling journey into the secret history behind the Statue of Liberty, let’s dig into some lesser-known facts about its construction. These hidden details will make you see Lady Liberty in a whole new light!

1. The Statue Wasn’t Always Green

Yes, the Statue of Liberty is famously green today, but did you know she started out copper-colored? When the statue was first assembled, the copper panels shone with a reddish-brown hue. Over the years, exposure to the elements caused a chemical reaction called patination, which turned her iconic shade of green by 1920.

2. The Torch Wasn’t Always the Same

The torch that Lady Liberty holds today is not the original one. The original torch, which had a much simpler design, suffered extensive damage from weathering and was replaced in 1986—exactly 100 years after the statue’s inauguration. The new torch is covered in 24-karat gold leaf and is designed to reflect sunlight by day and light from within at night.

3. Bartholdi’s Face Might Be a Tribute to His Mother

While Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi designed the statue, rumors have long swirled about the inspiration behind Lady Liberty’s face. Some believe Bartholdi used his mother, Charlotte, as the model for Liberty’s stern but serene expression. Others think the statue’s face was inspired by ancient Roman goddesses. The mystery remains, but it adds a personal touch to this grand monument.

4. Gustave Eiffel Didn’t Originally Want the Job

Though Gustave Eiffel ended up playing a crucial role in designing the statue’s internal structure, he wasn’t the first choice! Another French engineer, Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, was initially hired, but he passed away before completing his plans. It was then that Bartholdi reached out to Eiffel, who, despite initial reluctance, crafted the innovative iron skeleton that still supports the statue today.

5. The Statue’s Construction Was Like a Giant Puzzle

To transport the massive structure from France to the United States, the Statue of Liberty was dismantled into 350 individual pieces and packed into 214 wooden crates. When it arrived in New York, it took four months to reassemble the statue on Liberty Island, fitting each piece together like a massive, life-sized puzzle.

6. A Financial Struggle Almost Stopped the Project

Fundraising for the Statue of Liberty was a huge challenge—especially in the United States. The American side was responsible for building the pedestal, but the project nearly failed due to a lack of funds. It was Joseph Pulitzer, a prominent newspaper publisher and a Freemason, who saved the day by using his paper, The New York World, to launch a campaign that collected over $100,000 (equivalent to millions today) from ordinary citizens, many of whom donated just a few cents.

7. The Chains at Lady Liberty’s Feet Hold a Powerful Message

At Lady Liberty’s feet, broken shackles lie hidden from most public views, symbolizing the end of oppression and the breaking of chains. These shackles are a subtle but powerful reminder of the ideals of freedom and democracy. Bartholdi intended them as a nod to the end of slavery in the United States, a theme that was incredibly important at the time.

8. The Statue Was Intended for the Suez Canal

Here’s a twist: Bartholdi originally envisioned building a colossal statue called “Egypt Bringing Light to Asia” at the entrance of the Suez Canal. However, this project never came to fruition due to financial constraints. Bartholdi adapted his vision, leading to the Statue of Liberty’s creation as a symbol of friendship between France and the United States.

9. Liberty’s Height Was a Marvel for Its Time

When completed, the Statue of Liberty was the tallest iron structure ever built, standing at 305 feet (93 meters), including the pedestal. Its impressive height, combined with the complexity of Eiffel’s framework, made it a groundbreaking engineering achievement for the 19th century.

10. Freemason Ceremony Cornerstone Time Capsule

During the cornerstone ceremony of the pedestal in 1884, Freemasons placed a time capsule inside the foundation, containing American coins, copies of the Constitution, and other Masonic symbols. This Masonic tradition of placing time capsules within cornerstones is a way of preserving history and symbolizing the enduring nature of liberty and democracy.

These little-known details about the Statue of Liberty add depth to its story, revealing how much more there is to discover beyond her famous monuments. From hidden symbols to ingenious engineering, Lady Liberty is not just a beacon of freedom but also a puzzle of history waiting to be uncovered.

*The Whig  Party: read the following post