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It was recently revealed that starting July 4, 2009, visitors (and locals alike) will once again have the chance to climb into the Statue of Liberty's crown and enjoy panoramic views. The crown has been closed since 9/11, making this the first time in nearly eight years that the public has been granted such access. But even if you can't visit the original statue up close, you don't have to miss out entirely—replicas of Bartholdi's masterpiece are scattered across the globe. Here are 10 you can explore if a trip to New York isn't in your plans.
1. Billund, Denmark, home to the original Legoland theme park, features a Lego version of Lady Liberty. Despite being made of bricks, she's still quite sizable, as evident from the people in the photo. (Click for a closer look; the Statue is in the bottom row.)2. Las Vegas, naturally. In Vegas, you can find almost anything, and this replica is no exception. Reportedly built at a 1:3 scale, it stands proudly among fake skyscrapers and a roller coaster designed to resemble taxi cabs. If you're on the Strip, she's hard to miss.3. Paragould, Arkansas, proudly claims to house the oldest Statue of Liberty replica in America, aside from the original. Standing just seven feet tall, it's shorter than the real statue's index finger (which measures eight feet). Nonetheless, it holds deep significance for the locals, serving as the Paragould War Memorial to honor WWI veterans.
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5. Visnes in Rogaland, Norway, might seem an unlikely spot for a Statue of Liberty replica, but it holds historical significance: the copper used to build the original statue was mined here. Although the mine closed in 1972, the replica stands as a tribute to the town's role in creating this iconic symbol of freedom.
6. If you find yourself in Webster, Massachusetts, make your way to Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg to see the small but charming Statue of Liberty replica there. While the lake's name is a mouthful, the statue adds a touch of elegance to the scenic spot.
7. Heide-Park in Soltau, Lower Saxony, Germany, boasts a 115-foot replica of Lady Liberty, one of the largest in the world. As one of Germany's biggest theme parks, it fittingly houses this impressive statue, which is half the size of the original. Artist Gerla Spee spent a year and a half crafting it, embodying the American spirit of grandeur and the park's own adventurous ethos.
8. "Strengthen the Arm of Liberty" was a 1950 initiative by the Boy Scouts of America, who distributed around 200 small Statue of Liberty replicas to cities across 39 states. Each community chose where to place their statue, resulting in a variety of displays nationwide. While many have been lost or destroyed, at least 100 remain, documented by the Boy Scouts of Cheyenne, Wyoming. It's fascinating to explore how each statue has been uniquely showcased.
9. Picture yourself at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the winter of 1979, witnessing the Statue of Liberty emerging from the frozen Lake Mendota like a scene from Planet of the Apes. This spectacle began as a student government prank, with two candidates promising to bring the statue to campus. True to their word, they attempted to deliver her via helicopter, only for her to end up in the lake. Though she was set on fire shortly after, a fireproof version returned the following year. After nearly two decades in storage, students recently revived the tradition, placing her on the frozen lake once more. You can watch the process here.
10. While you can't visit this one, it's still fascinating. In 1918, 18,000 soldiers at Camp Dodge in Des Moines formed a human replica of the Statue of Liberty to promote war bonds. Despite scorching temperatures exceeding 105 degrees Fahrenheit and soldiers wearing heavy wool uniforms, they pulled it off, though several fainted. Ironically, the photo was never used for its intended purpose, but it remains an incredible image. The formation stretched a quarter-mile, with 12,000 people alone forming the torch's flame.
Does your town have a small Statue of Liberty replica, or have you spotted one in an unusual location? (Liberty Tax mascots don't count!) Share your stories in the comments below!
