Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty has at least three ties to Lansingburgh:
• a bronze model of the statue was exhibited in Lansingburgh at the Casino Roller Skating Rink along the Hudson River’s bank the year the statue was delivered from France and the pedestal begun
• the pedestal was made from granite transported by the sloop Wasp built in Lansingburgh
• Lansingburgh suffragist Caroline Gilkey Rogers traveled with other women to the harbor for the statue’s formal unveiling and dedication, speaking on the boat.
This contract [for “all the granite used in constructing the sea walls and pedestal for the Statue of Liberty”] was awarded to the John Beattie Granite Works in 1882 by D. H. King. […]
At his quarry, my great-grand-father would mark each of the granite pieces for the pedestal. They were then pulled by sleds and oxen he owned, and hoisted aboard the sloop Wasp at Hoadley’s Point, sailing all the way to Bedloes Island (now Liberty Island).
The Wasp, which he purchased in 1869, was a Hudson River sloop built at Lansingburgh, N.Y., in 1813 for use in the War of 1812. Her hull was strengthened to carry 100 tons on her decks and equipped with a stern hoisting engine, and carried four large lintels, with shield, on each trip to avoid major loss. Her remains are now in the salt marshes off Hoadley’s Point.
The last of the granite for the pedestal was swung into place April 22, 1886, and the jubilant workmen showered silver coins from their pockets into the mortar. ELLEN BEATTIE HARE Old Saybrook, Conn., Dec. 31, 1985
Hare, Ellen Beattie. “How They Brought Down the Granite for Liberty’s Pedestal.” Letter to the Editor. N. Y. Times. January 11, 1986.
—A bronze representation of the Bartholdi statue was much admired at the Casino rink Saturday night, and will be on exhibition until further notice. The statue is seven feet high, and well executed. A social hop will be given Wednesday evening. Skating sessions are held morning, afternoon and evening.
“Guides to Glee.” Troy Daily Times. October 19, 1885: 3 col 3.
—The Bartholdi statue is attracting crowds at the Casino rink. Manager Oliver is untiring in his efforts to please the public. The usual hop will be held to-morrow night, with skating until 10 o’clock.
“A Round of Gaiety.” Troy Daily Times. October 19, 1885: 3 col 3.
—A joint meeting of the political equality clubs of Rensselaer and Albany counties was held last evening at the house of Mrs. Caroline Gilkey Rogers, in Lansingburgh. Addresses were made by Mrs. Rogers, Mrs. Mary Howell of Albany and others. Vocal and instrumental music was furnished by the Misses Le Boeuf of Albany, recent graduates of the New England conservatory of music. Mrs. Howell, Mrs. Rogers and Mrs. Dr. Swormstedt of Troy were elected delegates to the woman’s state convention to be held at New York October 27 and 28. The convention will hire a steamer to go down the bay on the occasion of the unveiling of the Bartholdi statue [the Statue of Liberty].
Troy Daily Times. October 15, 1886: 3 col 4.
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Americans and Frenchmen to Join Hands in the Bartholdi Celebration.
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IMPOSING LAND AND NAVAL DISPLAY
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Thousands of Marching Men—Hundreds of Gliding Craft.
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FIREMEN AND FIREWORKS
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As the day set apart for the unveiling of the Statue of Liberty draws nigh public interest in the celebration is greatly increasing. […]
The New York Woman Suffrage Association, Lillie Devereau Blake president, believing that “the dedication of the great statue representing liberty embodied as a woman is an event which ought not to pass without action on the part of the women of the State” will join in an excursion down the bay. They will not be bothered listening to the regular speeches, but hear some talks from Mary S. Howell, Caroline Gilkey Rogers and others on board. […]
New York Herald. October 24, 1886: 13.
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PREPARING A GRAND CELEBRATION FOR THURSDAY.
ACCESSIONS TO THE SEA AND LAND PARADE—RECEPTION OF FRENCH DELEGATES—THE FIREWORKS DISPLAY.
Gen. C. P. Stone and his adjutants in the Washington Building were busily employed yesterday in answering letters from applicants for positions in the land and sea parades, and in receiving the numerous people who thought that they were entitled to tickets for the ceremonies on Bedloe’s Island. […]
The New-York State Woman Suffrage Association will make an excursion in celebration of the dedication of the statue, which, says its circular, “representing Liberty embodied as a woman, is an event which ought not to pass without action on the part of the women of the State.” All persons interested in securing political liberty for woman are asked to join in the excursion to witness the unveiling of the statue and to pay $1 for the privilege. The ladies will not land, but during the progress of the ceremonies speeches will be made on the boat. Mary Seymour Howell, Caroline Gilkey Rogers, Clara Wyman, Henrica Iliahan, Marguerite Moore, and others are expected to speak. The excursion boat John Lenox has been chartered. Mrs. Lillie Devereux Blake has charge. On Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock a mass meeting under the auspices of the New-York State Woman Suffrage Association will be held in Masonic Temple, when final arrangements will be made. […]
New York Times. October 24, 1886: 3 col 4.
“Lansingburgh Sloop Helped Build Statue of Liberty.” Lansingburgh Historical Society Newsletter 1985-1986. 1.