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

Inscription.
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. It can be reached from Communipaw Avenue. 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.

Regionally, this marker is in New York City.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other

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markers are within walking distance of this marker: Copper for the Statue of Liberty (within shouting distance of this marker); Cornerstone of the Statue of Liberty Pedestal (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bartholdi (about 300 feet away); The New Colossus (about 300 feet away); New York Sculptures (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named The New Colossus (about 400 feet away); “Mother of Exiles” (about 400 feet away); Emma Lazarus (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.

Other markers no longer nearby. The Pedestal (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Building the Statue of Liberty (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

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

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, November 7, 2011

2. Why is the Statue Green? Marker

Wall Street, Manhattan. Built 1929 – 1930. H. Craig Severance, Architect.”; “U.S. Reality Building, 115 Broadway, Manhattan. Built 1907. Francis Hatch Kimball, Arch.”; and “Woolworth Building, 233 Broadway, Manhattan. Built 1911 – 1913. Cass – Gilbert, Architect.”

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, November 7, 2011

3. Why is the Statue Green? Marker

The green Statue can be seen behind the marker.

Markers on Liberty Island image. Click for full size.

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.

Statue of Liberty image. Click for full size.

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 795 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 7, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.