SECRETS OF THE DEAD: Raising Lady Liberty

By Jennifer Robinson / Web Producer

Published October 19, 2026 at 9:25 AM PDT

Reenactment of the construction of the Statue of Liberty in France.

Stream with KPBS+ / Premieres Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026 at 10 p.m. on KPBS TV

With unseen documents and new sources, witness the story of how two countries came together to produce one of history's greatest monuments.

She has stood at the entrance to the New York City harbor for nearly 150 years, welcoming millions who have come to start new lives. The Statue of Liberty is an enduring symbol of freedom and a metaphor for the American dream. With unseen documents and new sources, witness the story of how France and the United States came together to produce one of history's greatest monuments.

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The Statue of Liberty in present-day New York City. Combined, the statue and pedestal may have cost between $300,000 to $600,000 when they were constructed, equating to roughly $17-22 million today.

SECRETS OF THE DEAD: Raising Lady Liberty

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