Liberty Island in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Why is the Statue Green?
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 7, 2011
1. Why is the Statue Green? Marker
The answer is in the air.
The Statue’s skin is made of copper, and when copper is exposed to oxygen in the air, it undergoes a chemical reaction called oxidation. The reaction causes a fine crust or film to develop that is usually green in color. This layer protects the original metal underneath. In copper and bronze, this natural protective process is called Patination. It took nearly thirty years for the Statue to turn from her original copper color to the green you see today. The palination process can also be observed on buildings where copper or bronze are used for roofing and ornamentation such as the ferry dock on Liberty Island and on the roof and domes of the Immigration Station at Ellis Island.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Man-Made Features • Science & Medicine.
Location. 40° 41.342′ N, 74° 2.736′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is on Liberty Island. Marker is located on the southwest end of Liberty Island, near the ferry docks. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New York NY 10004, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Pedestal (a few steps from this marker); Copper for the Statue of Liberty
this page online
More about this marker. A photo of the Statue of Liberty at the right side of the marker has a caption of “The palination begins, Statue of Liberty, ca. 1900. Photo courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration, Northeast Region (New York City).”
Three other photographs depict buildings that use copper or bronze in their roofing. These include the “Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House, One Bowling Green, Manhattan. Built 1900 – 1907. Cass – Gilbert, Architect.”; “Manhattan Company Building, 40 Wall Street, Manhattan. Built 1929 – 1930. H. Craig Severance, Architect.”; “U.S. Reality Building, 115 Broadway, Manhattan. Built 1907.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 7, 2011
2. Why is the Statue Green? Marker
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 7, 2011
3. Why is the Statue Green? Marker
The green Statue can be seen behind the marker.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 7, 2011
4. Markers on Liberty Island
Two markers can be found at this location. The Why is the Statue Green? marker can be seen here on the left.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 7, 2011
5. Statue of Liberty
Credits. This page was last revised on July 20, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 7, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 533 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 7, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
