The Statue of Liberty has at least three ties to Lansingburgh:• a bronze model of the statue was exhibited in Lansingburgh at the Casino Roller Skating Rink along the Hudson River's bank the year the statue was delivered from France and the pedestal begun• the pedestal was made from granite transported by the sloop Wasp built in Lansingburgh• Lansingburgh suffragist Caroline Gilkey Rogers traveled with other women to the harbor for the statue's formal unveiling and dedication, speaking on the boat.
This contract [for "all the granite used in constructing the sea walls and pedestal for the Statue of Liberty"] was awarded to the John Beattie Granite Works in 1882 by D. H. King. [...]At his quarry, my great-grand-father would mark each of the granite pieces for the pedestal. They were then pulled by sleds and oxen he owned, and hoisted aboard the sloop Wasp at Hoadley's Point, sailing all the way to Bedloes Island (now Liberty Island).The Wasp, which he purchased in 1869, was a Hudson River sloop built at Lansingburgh, N.Y., in 1813 for use in the War of 1812. Her hull was strengthened to carry 100 tons on her decks and equipped with a stern hoisting engine, and carried four large lintels, with shield, on each trip to avoid major loss. Her remains are now in the salt marshes off Hoadley's Point.The last of the granite for the pedestal was swung into place April 22, 1886, and the jubilant workmen showered silver coins from their pockets into the mortar. ELLEN BEATTIE HARE Old Saybrook, Conn., Dec. 31, 1985Hare, Ellen Beattie. "How They Brought Down the Granite for Liberty's Pedestal." Letter to the Editor. N. Y. Times. January 11, 1986.
—A bronze representation of the Bartholdi statue was much admired at the Casino rink Saturday night, and will be on exhibition until further notice. The statue is seven feet high, and well executed. A social hop will be given Wednesday evening. Skating sessions are held morning, afternoon and evening."Guides to Glee." Troy Daily Times. October 19, 1885: 3 col 3.—The Bartholdi statue is attracting crowds at the Casino rink. Manager Oliver is untiring in his efforts to please the public. The usual hop will be held to-morrow night, with skating until 10 o'clock."A Round of Gaiety." Troy Daily Times. October 19, 1885: 3 col 3.
—A joint meeting of the political equality clubs of Rensselaer and Albany counties was held last evening at the house of Mrs. Caroline Gilkey Rogers, in Lansingburgh. Addresses were made by Mrs. Rogers, Mrs. Mary Howell of Albany and others. Vocal and instrumental music was furnished by the Misses Le Boeuf of Albany, recent graduates of the New England conservatory of music. Mrs. Howell, Mrs. Rogers and Mrs. Dr. Swormstedt of Troy were elected delegates to the woman’s state convention to be held at New York October 27 and 28. The convention will hire a steamer to go down the bay on the occasion of the unveiling of the Bartholdi statue [the Statue of Liberty].Troy Daily Times. October 15, 1886: 3 col 4.