Statue of Liberty

The Lady Liberty statue at the Benton Library dates back to the 1940's-

While many of the same statues have deteriorated or been sold for scrap metal, Benton wants to hang on to its piece of history. 

The 8 and-a-half foot tall, 300 pound replica of the statue of liberty has been a land mark of Benton for 60 years. But the community knows if they want our lady to last another half century-- restoration is a must.

"She does have some holes in her structure that are allowing water to leak inside," says library director Erin Steinsultz. 

Steinsultz says Lady Liberty was removed from her outdoor post in 2008. 

A combination of weather and vandalism put her in need of repairs from her toes up to her crown. 

"Seven rays represent the seven continents and the seven seas-- she only has three," says Steinsultz. 

In the 1940's boy scouts sold hundreds of lady liberties across the county. 

The original receipt shows it was purchased for $300.

Now only a fraction of the statues exist. 

"It's just one of those few things we have to be proud of," says Doris Heaton of the public library board.

Heaton says Benton has been featured in Statue of Liberty Club Newsletter.

Visitors have come from around the nation.

"We actually had two families stop in this summer who were traveling across the country visiting those state replicas across the country," says Steinsultz. 

Now the library wants to build a freedom plaza featuring Lady Liberty.

They are raising money for the $20-thousand project.

"We haven't reached our gaol yet but knowing the city of Benton, will reach it," says Heaton.

The statue will leave Benton in January for a yearlong restoration process.