July 2, 2009--Photographed from a rare vantage point, several of the Statue of Liberty's 25 observation windows look out over New York Harbor in an undated picture. Visitor access to the Statue of Liberty's crown reopens on the Fourth of July for the first time since 9/11. (Full story: "Statue of Liberty Facts: July 4th Reopening and More.")Above the windows are three of the seven skyscraping rays said by some to represent the seven seas and continents of the world.
The Statue of Liberty underwent a major renovation for its 1986 centennial, with the most obvious change being the replacement of the torch.
The old flame (left), shown in 1984, featured amber-colored windows and was lighted from within. The openings of the old torch, now in an adjoining museum, allowed rain in and led to corrosion of the arm's support structure, Park Service spokesperson Mindi Rambo said.
The new torch (right), pictured under construction in 1984, has a flame with an unbroken copper skin covered in 24-karat gold leaf and entirely lighted from the outside.
The old flame (left), shown in 1984, featured amber-colored windows and was lighted from within. The openings of the old torch, now in an adjoining museum, allowed rain in and led to corrosion of the arm's support structure, Park Service spokesperson Mindi Rambo said.
The new torch (right), pictured under construction in 1984, has a flame with an unbroken copper skin covered in 24-karat gold leaf and entirely lighted from the outside.
