Statue of Liberty - Historic Window Replacement Project

Statue of Liberty
Historic Window Replacement Project

New York, New York

Overview

Our windows contributed the $30 million restoration of the Statue of Liberty. The 25 miniature windows that sparkle from Liberty's crown high above the New York Harbor were to be replaced.

Out of the many others who vied for the work, our windows were identified in the formal contract to carry out this window restoration project. The largest part of the costs involved represented the company’s voluntary contribution to Lady Liberty's torch-to-toe restoration.

The restoration of the Statue of Liberty was historic preservation in its truest sense - a project which was watched around the world. If it had been just a production order for 25 windows, the project would have appeared to be a rather routine job. But as a custom project, this represented one of the most difficult and complex the company had ever handled. Of the many challenges our window manufacturing team members faced and conquered in the past, this project, small as it was in size, proved to be one of the team’s biggest challenges.

Handcrafted in France more than 100 years ago by that era's most expert artisans of metalworking, Lady Liberty's new windows were reproduced by hand, to match the original design and also improved with advanced technology.

A template of every window was taken because each of the 25 units varied in size, angle, and curvature. Sizes ranged from as small as 7.5" wide by 12.5" high, to 14.5" by 31". Because it was impractical to extrude the frame, jamb and sash members in bronze, all metal sections were cut by hand from flat bronze sheet, using hand cut templates. The windows were then curved, bent, formed, and brazed with silver solder. The windows were assembled with stainless steel operation hardware, and hand polished to achieve a beautiful satiny finish. Each window was also fitted with our View-Safe® tempered safety glass. There were a significant number of variables to contend with — the most important was attention to detail to satisfy the requirements of the project architects, the Statue of Liberty Restoration Foundation, and our Cranberry Township, PA manufacturing facility’s high standards for quality workmanship.