Drew Angerer/Getty Images
A view of the Statue of Liberty on August 27, 2018.
- The Statue of Liberty's original torch was damaged in an explosion in 1916 and replaced with a replica in 1985.
- The torch recently secured a permanent home at the brand new Statue of Liberty Museum, which opens to the public on May 16.
- The designing of the museum generated questions about the definition of liberty in the Trump era.
- Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.
The Statue of Liberty has been missing its original torch for 35 years. In its place stands a gold-plated replica that's 400 pounds heavier and illuminated by floodlights in the evening.
The old version, a 3,600-pound copper flame built in the late 19th century, was damaged in an explosion in 1916. For a time, the dented object stood in place while undergoing a series of renovations. But in 1984, it was taken down and sent on a worldwide tour before landing in a tiny museum in the statue's pedestal.
Read more: Secrets of the Statue of Liberty
Now, the torch is on full display at the $100 million Statue of Liberty Museum, which opens to the public on May 16. We got a sneak peak at the massive object, which had to be taken apart and re-assembled to be transported to the new building.
Take a look at the torch's long journey from construction until now.