Was the Statue of Liberty built by Freemasons?
While the Statue of Liberty itself was not built exclusively by Freemasons, there are significant connections between Freemasonry and the individuals involved in its conception and construction. The idea for the statue was proposed by Edouard Rene de Laboulaye, a prominent French Mason, and many of the key figures involved in the project, including the sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and the designer of its iron framework, Alexandre Gustave Eiffel, were also associated with Freemasonry. Additionally, the statue symbolizes ideals of liberty and enlightenment that resonate with Masonic principles.
RWBro Bharat V. Epur notes that the statue was conceived during a gathering of Freemasons, which included Laboulaye and Bartholdi, who discussed the project in the context of celebrating American independence and the values of freedom and democracy. Thus, while not built by Freemasons per se, the statue's creation was heavily influenced by Masonic ideals and the involvement of Masonic figures.
As stated in the paper, *“The Statue of Liberty and its Masonic Connections”*, “In the summer of 1865, a group of Frenchmen – all Freemasons – were gathered together one evening at the home of the well-known author, Bro Edouard Rene de Laboulaye”.