Did you know that Seattle has its very own Statue of Liberty? Located in West Seattle on Alki Beach, our miniature version of the Statue of Liberty may be small, but she has had quite a life. And now she needs a little help from her neighbors: a community repair fund has been created to extend the statue’s life.
The original statue arrived at Alki Beach in 1952 as a gift from Seattle-area Boy Scouts. She was one of about 200 replicas installed around the country as part of a national campaign. Over the decades, she became part of the changing landscape and story of West Seattle.
Alki’s Statue of Liberty has served as an important gathering point for Seattleites throughout the years. After 9/11, people spontaneously brought American flags, flowers, cards, photographs and other mementos to her base. The Southwest Seattle Historical Society preserved those items, which are now displayed at the Log House Museum alongside the original statue.
The statue’s location is meaningful as well. Alki is often called the symbolic birthplace of modern Seattle. The Denny Party landed here in 1851 and initially called their settlement “New York-Alki,” using alki, a Chinook word meaning roughly “by and by.” The name itself acknowledged that the settlers were not the first people here: Alki is part of the traditional territory of the Duwamish and Suquamish peoples, who have lived in this region for thousands of years.
The original copper-clad statue didn’t fare well against Alki’s saltwater, Seattle’s weather, and acts of vandalism over the years, unfortunately. Her crown was damaged, her torch was stolen, and eventually her arm disappeared. Community support brought her back in another form. In 2007, a new statue was cast in bronze at a Tacoma foundry. The following year, the new statue was installed as part of the dedication of Statue of Liberty Plaza. The project included community fundraising, engraved bricks, a time capsule, performances and other events—all intended to create a true gathering place around the statue.
Now, the plaza’s pedestal needs some repairs. Cracks have developed at its corner joints, which the Seattle Parks Department says could threaten the pedestal’s integrity and the statue’s safety.
The Alki Community Council is raising $5,000 for repairs and maintenance. According to the council:
“This kind of structural repair falls outside the statue’s standard maintenance agreement between ACC and Seattle Parks. This means it’s up to us, the community, to make sure it’s protected for generations to come.”
As of right now, they’re 97% of the way to their goal thanks to over 80 donations. Any additional donations beyond the goal will help replenish the long-term maintenance fund.
Today, the little statue embodies a complicated mix of memories: Indigenous history, settler history, American history, Cold War-era patriotism, and community remembrance. Keeping her standing helps preserve all of those layers of Seattle’s story. You can find more information about the repair fund via the Alki Community Council.
