Liberty At Your Fingertips: New Exhibition at Belcourt of Newport Displays Artifacts From The Statue of Liberty
Belcourt of Newport showcases the "bones" of Lady Liberty in a landmark exhibition opening on Independence Day.
Belcourt’s newest exhibition brings visitors closer than ever to the craftsmanship and history behind Lady Liberty. Photo courtesy of Belcourt of Newport’s Facebook page.
Pieces of one of the world’s most famous statues finds its home in Newport on America’s 250th anniversary. On July 4, Belcourt of Newport invites the public to witness its first permanent exhibition of infrastructure artifacts collected from the Statue of Liberty during its 1984–1986 restoration period. With fragments of original copper, iron and bronze, this display presents the largest of such objects ever mounted.
This new landmark exhibition of metal artifacts removed from Lady Liberty called Bones of the Statue of Liberty reveals the relics that have been preserved under private stewardship for forty years. The exhibition is set to display railings from the pedestal’s stairway; a large cog from the statue’s maintenance and rescue elevator; and lamps that illuminated the statue’s exterior and will now cast their light on the display itself. Exhibition tours will be held at 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
“For nearly 140 years, Lady Liberty has stood as the world’s greatest symbol of freedom,” says David Bettencourt, the exhibition curator. “The artifacts in this exhibition are her literal bones. It is profoundly fitting to present them within an architectural masterpiece designed by Richard Morris Hunt, who was responsible for her pedestal.”
The Belcourt of Newport, a Gilded Age mansion-turned-restored museum, has found purpose in the preservation of life, culture, history and music, standing as one of Newport’s famous Bellevue Avenue cottages. Designed and built by American architect Richard Morris Hunt from 1891–1895, the property’s care fell into the hands of Carolyn Rafaelian in 2012, where she began museum’s historical restoration. The Belcourt has since been given the Rhody Award of Historic Preservation in 2018, the highest recognition for restoration excellence in Rhode Island, determined to share a legacy of inspiration and historical treasure.
Hunt also designed iconic properties of Newport including Marble House and The Breakers. He created the structural unit of the Statue of Liberty’s pedestal, engineered to sustain a monument totaling 54 million pounds. Not only that, but Auguste Bartholdi, Lady Liberty’s sculptor, married in Newport in 1876. In recognition of revolutionary infrastructure, these artists defied the boundaries of what a landmark could be.
10 percent of proceeds will be donated to notable charities including Purple Heart Homes, Ducks Unlimited, Special Forces Trust and the USS Yorktown Foundation. An additional 10 percent of sales will be dedicated to Belcourt’s preservation, support programming and all existing exhibits, as well as the American Liberty Congress which is set to convene annually at the mansion in 2027.
Visit the website for tickets and more information. 657 Bellevue Ave., Newport, belcourt.com
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