Lady Liberty in KC?!

October 28, 2010

It was on October 28, 1886, that the Statue of Liberty was officially dedicated in New York. Did you know that we have a replica of that Statue of Liberty here in Kansas City? Or that the original statue was created as a gift from France to the United States to symbolize the long standing friendship between the two countries and their commitments to freedom and liberty? Or that the statue was initially called "Liberty Enlightening the World"? Neither did I, and so my quest to learn more began.

I found some fascinating facts about the making of the Statue of Liberty in Enlightening the World: the Creation of the Statue of Liberty by Yasmin Sabina Khan. Edouard Laboulaye, a French scholar, proposed the joint French and American monument that was eventually designed by French sculptor, Frédéric Bartholdi. Also part of the team was Alexandre Eiffel, the engineer who created the metal skeleton for Lady Liberty and later the famous Eiffel Tower in Paris. For younger readers, I recommend The Statue of Liberty by Elaine Landau, and for the youngest readers, The Statue of Liberty by Mary Firestone—the illustrations are great.

As for how we Kansas Citians received the replica pictured here, you’ll have to take a little field trip to go along with the history lesson. You’ll find the 8 ½ ft. tall replica in the east median of Meyer Blvd where it crosses Prospect Ave. Take 71 Hwy, exit at Meyer Blvd, and travel west on Meyer to Prospect Ave. You’ll find the best view when traveling eastbound on Meyer toward Prospect Ave though. Happy hunting!

Beth O.
Red Bridge Branch