The documents related to the Statue of Liberty Centennial were found in the collection of the Robert R Livingston Masonic Library of the Grand Lodge of New York in April 1996. They were culled from the subject file on the Statue of Liberty, and the files and records of the Grand Lodge of New York. These records represent the Masonic involvement with the celebrations,  festivities and ceremonies of the Centennial of the Statue of Liberty.

The Grand Lodge of New York’s role in these events is emphasized in the documents, but materials dealing with Masonic participation throughout the country, as well as general information about the Statue of Liberty and its renovation are also included in this collection.
Where applicable, two copies of each document were saved. The collection was separated into 19 series. Restrictions may apply to some documents.

The Statue of Liberty, a gift from France to America, symbolizes the idea of “Liberty Enlightening the World.” Sculpted by Frederic Auguste Bartholdi (a Mason himself) and structurally engineered by Gustave Eiffel, France and America helped to raise funds for the statue’s completion. On August 5, 1884, the cornerstone for the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty was laid in a Masonic ceremony. The Statue itself was finished and dedicated on October 28, 1886.
One hundred years later, the Statue of Liberty was found to be in poor condition. The iron bars that support the statue had deteriorated to half of their original size, and the torch and
arm had been steadily corroding in the salt air and pollution of the New York Harbor. A national campaign was set up, with Lee lacocca as the chairman, to raise funds to renovate the
statue and improve the facilities on Ellis Island. Many groups pledged their support, including the Freemasons of the United States. They promised to raise $3,000,000 towards the end goal
of $230 million, which would be the equivalent of $1 per North American Mason. To this end, they initiated a strong fundraising campaign, which included events like the “Torch of Liberty”
Run, and the “Lady Liberty Dinner Show.” The Masons also reenacted the cornerstone-laying ceremony on August 5, 1984. Grand Master of New York Calvin H. Bond presided, and a bronze tablet was unveiled which commemorated the 1884 ceremony.

This collection comprises .4 linear feet of the records of the Statue of Liberty Centennial.
The collection contains materials from 1983-1986. The records are in good condition and are arranged in 19 series. They are housed in one records carton, in the stacks with the archives (last row on the right). The series are organized by subject, with correspondence taking precedence in the order. Non-print materials, such as photographs, buttons, pins, and audio tapes have been placed in the back of the box. Each series is housed in one folder in the box. Within the folder, records are arranged chronologically from front to back. In series AR 1996.4.5, “Correspondence Regarding Statue of Liberty Cornerstone Laying Centennial Observance 1983-1984,” there is a letter written and signed by Norman Vincent Peale.

.1 General Correspondence, 1983-1986
.2 Statue of Liberty Committee Agendas/Minutes/Correspondence, 1983-1984
.3 Masonic Statue of Liberty Campaign, 1984-1985
.4 Statue of Liberty Cornerstone Laying Centennial Observance, August 5, 1984
.5 Correspondence Regarding Statue of Liberty Cornerstone Laying Centennial Observance, 1983-1984
.6 Articles Regarding Statue of Liberty Cornerstone Laying Centennial Observance, 1 984
.7 Lady Liberty Dinner Show, March 31, 1984
.8 Correspondence Regarding “Torch of Liberty” Run, 1983-1984
.9 “Lady of the Harbor,” 1985
.10 Liberty Weekend ’86
.11 Correspondence Regarding Copyright/License for Statue of Liberty Logo, 1983-1984
.12 Correspondence Regarding Arthur Markewich’s Appointment to the New York Statue of Liberty Centennial Commission
.13 Masonic Stamp Club’s Involvement with the Statue of Liberty Centennial, 1983
.14 General Masonic Involvement with the Statue of Liberty
.15 Periodical Articles (non-Masonic) About Renovation of the Statue of Liberty, 1983-1985
.16 Brochures (non-Masonic) About Renovation of the Statue of Liberty
.17 Photographs