Statue of Liberty Copper Stone, Karmøy Gift
New York, New York County, New York
Marker Inscription
This stone from the mine that produced the copper in the Statue of Liberty was brought with the sailing ship "Sørlandet" as a gift to the United States of America from the citizens of Karmøy, Norway. July 4, 1986
The Story
The Statue of Liberty's famous copper skin was mined an ocean away, at a copper works on the Norwegian island of Karmøy. In 1986, to mark the statue's centennial, the people of Karmøy chose a stone from that very mine and sent it across the Atlantic aboard the tall ship Sørlandet as a gift to the United States. Set near the harbor that frames Lady Liberty, the stone turns an abstract fact — where the metal came from — into something you can stand beside and touch.
Why it matters
It reveals the international roots of America's most recognizable icon: a monument famously gifted by France, possibly clad in copper drawn from Norway, and here honored again by a small Norwegian community a century later. The stone is a quiet reminder that the symbol of American liberty was assembled from the wider world's contributions.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- Statue of Liberty Museumnearby · New York, NY
- Ellis Island Immigration Museum0.7 mi away · New York, NJ
- Liberty State Park Interpretive Center0.7 mi away · 275 Freedom Way, Jersey City, NJ
- Liberty State Park Interpretive Center0.7 mi away
- Liberty Science Center1.3 mi away · 222 Jersey City Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ
- The HoloCenter1.5 mi away · 403 Comfort Road
Attractions
- Statue of Liberty0.1 mi away
- Fort Jay1.5 mi away
- Colgate Clock1.6 mi away
- Governor's Island Kayaking1.7 mi away · Pier 101, New York, NY
- Street Car1.9 mi away
- The Genius of Communication2.0 mi away
Food & drink
- Crown Cafenearby · Liberty Island, New York, NY
- Ellis Island Cafe0.7 mi away
- Baozi Brew Dim Zum Restaurant1.3 mi away
- Liberty House Restaurant1.3 mi away
- Maritime Parc1.3 mi away
- Bobwhite Counter1.5 mi away · 150 Warren Street, Jersey City, NJ
Places to stay
- Hyatt House New Jersey1.8 mi away · 1 Exchange Place, Jersey City, NJ
- Sonder at Battery Park1.9 mi away · 2 Washington Street, New York, NY
- Casa Cipriani New York1.9 mi away · 10 South Street, New York, NY
- Hilton Garden Inn1.9 mi away · 6 Water Street, New York, NY
- Hampton1.9 mi away · 32 Pearl Street, New York, NY
- DoubleTree by Hilton1.9 mi away · 8 Stone Street, New York, NY
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Related events
- · Statue of Liberty centennial (1986)
Themes & tags
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