Hidden Secrets of Famous Monuments

Table of Contents

• Mysterious Secrets of the Statue of Liberty
• The Brooklyn Bridge's Underground Wine Cellars
• The Lincoln Memorial's Giant Underground Cavern
• Mount Rushmore's Abandoned Hall of Records

Mysterious Secrets Hidden in the Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty is one of the most iconic landmarks in New York City and the United States. With around 4.5 million annual visitors, many people have marveled at Lady Liberty since her completion in 1886. However, the statue holds some fascinating secrets that most people are unaware of.

Before the Statue of Liberty was assembled, a time capsule containing specially chosen memorabilia was placed under the foundation. The items include a copy of the US Constitution, 20 bronze medals depicting past US presidents, and a portrait of Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, the French sculptor who designed the statue. This time capsule remains sealed and inaccessible today.

The Statue of Liberty's Torch Balcony

In the past, people could access the torch on the Statue of Liberty, which featured a balcony that could fit up to 12 visitors at a time. The spectacular views from the torch platform attracted many daring tourists until 1916, when access was closed off after the nearby Black Tom explosion damaged part of the statue. The torch balcony provided a unique perspective, allowing visitors to take in sights 300 feet above New York Harbor. However, the thrilling torch tours ended abruptly after the Black Tom blast, closing off visitor access to Lady Liberty's iconic torch.

The Statue's True Identity

There is debate around the identity of the Statue of Liberty's face. It is commonly believed her face is modeled on Libertas, the Roman goddess of liberty. However, some historians think the face more closely resembles that of Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi’s brother, Jean-Charles, who shares similar facial features. While we may never know the exact likeness the sculptor used, it adds an air of mystery to the statue’s origins. The enigmatic history behind Lady Liberty’s face has intrigued historians for years as they try to unveil her true identity.

Hidden Wine Cellars Inside the Brooklyn Bridge

Many of the thousands of people who walk across the Brooklyn Bridge each day are unaware of its incredible hidden secret – giant underground wine cellars housed within the bridge’s foundations.

In the early 1900s, New York City rented out vaults inside the Brooklyn Bridge to vineyards and wine merchants like Luyties Brothers. The cavernous, cool, dimly lit spaces allowed them to store and preserve wine at ideal conditions. One vault was even elaborately decorated in a ‘Blue Grotto’ style with frescoes of European vineyards.

After Prohibition ended in the 1930s, the vaults were again used to house wine, with lavish parties being thrown inside the chambers. However, the party was short-lived, as the vaults were taken over by the city during World War II for storage purposes. Today they remain hidden beneath the feet of thousands of pedestrians crossing the Brooklyn Bridge each day.

The Lincoln Memorial's Giant Underground Cavern

The iconic Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. attracts millions of visitors annually. But few are aware of the sprawling underground cavern beneath the memorial’s marble floors.

When the memorial was constructed beginning in 1914, workers had to dig 65 feet down to hit solid bedrock due to the marshy land. This resulted in a massive, manmade undercroft beneath the site. Complete with dirt floors and stalactites on the ceiling, the cavernous space resembles a natural cave.

For decades, the undercroft remained largely unknown to the public. However, it is now being incorporated into a new museum slated to open in 2026. The $69 million project will showcase the memorial’s intriguing construction history and make the underground cavern an exciting part of the visitor experience.

The Mysterious Unfinished Hall of Records Behind Mount Rushmore

Mount Rushmore in South Dakota draws over 2 million visitors annually to marvel at the colossal 60-foot presidential heads. But few know about the mysterious doorway tucked behind Lincoln’s head that leads to an unfinished Hall of Records.

In the late 1930s, workers blasted out the rock behind Mount Rushmore for the grand hall envisioned by sculptor Gutzon Borglum. He wanted an 80-foot hall containing important American documents. However, only a fraction was completed before Borglum passed away.

In 1998, a small repository was finally built in the carved-out space to house copies of treasured national documents. But the ambitious Hall of Records project remains unfinished and off-limits to the public. The intriguing unfinished cavern and doorway add an aura of mystery to this iconic monument.

FAQ

Q: What is hidden under the Statue of Liberty?
A: A time capsule containing items like a copy of the US Constitution was placed under the Statue of Liberty before it was erected in 1886.

Q: Did people used to store wine under the Brooklyn Bridge?
A: Yes, in the early 1900s companies rented out vaults under the Brooklyn Bridge to store wine in the cool, dark conditions.

Q: Is there a secret room inside Mount Rushmore?
A: Yes, an unfinished Hall of Records chamber exists behind Lincoln's head, originally intended to hold important US documents.