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The story of the Statue of Liberty and her island has been one of change. The Statue was placed upon a granite pedestal inside the courtyard of the star-shaped walls of Fort Wood (which had been completed for the War of 1812.) The United States Lighthouse Board had responsibility for the operation of the Statue of Liberty until 1901. After 1901, the care and operation of the Statue was placed under the War Department. A Presidential Proclamation declared Fort Wood (and the Statue of Liberty within it) a National Monument on October 15th, 1924 and the monument's boundary was set at the outer edge of Fort Wood. In 1933, the care and administration of the National Monument was transferred to the National Park Service. On September 7, 1937, jurisdiction was enlarged to encompass all of Bedloe's Island and in 1956, the island's name was changed to Liberty Island.
City Hall
irectly at the heart of Philadelphia, on Center Square, a National Historic Landmark rises 510 feet into the air. The exact geographical center of William Penn's original plan for Philadelphia, Center Square, known today as Penn Square, was designated by Mr. Penn to be the location for a building of "publick concerns" - home of Philadelphia's City Hall.
he huge granite mass of City Hall, throughout its 100+ year history, has indeed been a building of "publick concerns". An elaborate temple of local politics, City Hall is one of the nation's finest examples of French Second -Empire Architectural style. Controversy has surrounded the building from its earliest conception in 1860 to the present day. It has weathered severe criticism, hints of bribery and graft, campaigns to demolish it, shortages of funding to maintain it, and disrespect of vandals who deface it. Yet, it has also earned a great deal of respect and admiration as a unique architectural and sculptural achievement. 
ts future remains uncertain, but its story is fascinating.
Brooklyn Bridge
A VISION FOR A BRIDGE: Plans for a crossing between the city of Brooklyn and lower Manhattan dated back to the early 1800's. When the East River crossing was planned, Brooklyn, with about 400,000 residents, was still more rural than urban. The city of New York - which at the time consisted only of Manhattan - had twice as many residents, and the bridge was seen as a solution to overcrowding in Manhattan while spurring development in Brooklyn. The bridge would enable people and goods to cross the East River quickly, regardless of weather conditions.
From The Great Bridge by David McCullough: A bridge over the East River, joining the cities of New York and Brooklyn, had been talked about for nearly as long as anyone can remember… But nothing was done. The chief problem was always the East River, which is no river at all technically speaking, but a tidal strait and one of the most turbulent and in that day, especially, one of the busiest stretches of navigable salt water anywhere on earth. "If there is to be a bridge," wrote one man, "it must take one grand flying leap from shore to shore over the masts of the ships. There can be no piers or drawbridge. There must be only one great arch all the way across. Surely this must be a wonderful bridge."
Original cross-section of the roadway on the Brooklyn Bridge. (Figure by Paul Phillipe Cret and Rudolphe Modjeski.)
Liberty State Park
With the Manhattan skyline, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island as a spectacular backdrop to this urban park, Liberty State Park is an extraordinary and unique public resource. The park hosts more visitors than any other in New Jersey, currently over 4 million/year, testament to the public's interest in this special place. Major festivals and other events are often held in the park. The historic Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal (CRRNJ), a grand setting for much of New Jersey's transportation history in the northeast, sits prominently at the north end of the park. Liberty Walk, a 2 mile promenade, links a picnic area, interpretive center and the CRRNJ Terminal while presenting visitors with a sweeping view of the Hudson River. Liberty Science Center, a popular attraction for students and families, is located in the park's western section. Liberty State Park contains both estuarine and upland habitats. Herons, egrets, migratory shorebirds, and waterfowl utilize habitat at the park. In the winter, long-eared owls are often seen near the interpretive center. Liberty State Park was once an urban industrial area. As a result of this historical land use, the Division of Parks and Forestry has spent the past 25 years planning and building park infrastructure as well as remediating the site for public enjoyment. As part of the Division's waterfront improvement initiative for Liberty State Park, development of an 88 acre Green Park was completed in 1999. The Green Park is made up of crescent lawns, trails and landscaping improvements, including newly planted trees, shrubs and wildflower meadows. Approximately 4 miles of paved walkways have been added, as well as 7 plaza areas located along Liberty Walk, providing views of Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. The "Save Ellis Island!" initiative is meanwhile taking action to restore important historic features of the island where, long ago, immigrants to this country made their first stop.
Реферат опубликован: 12/09/2007