New York, US: New museum tells the story of the Statue of Liberty

Famous as a symbol of freedom and justice, the Statue of Liberty could just as easily be a testament to audacity and perseverance. It took 20 years for the project to come to fruition – an emotional rollercoaster of funding issues, construction delays and engineering challenges.

French sculptor Frederic Bartholdi deserves much of the credit. Not only did he design the 46-metre-high sculpture (the world's tallest when it was unveiled in October 1886), but he also wooed benefactors on both sides of the Atlantic. Officially a gift from France to commemorate the centenary of America's independence, the statue's construction was paid for by the French people. Fundraising efforts included souvenirs, lotteries, balls and workshop tours, which together raised more than 600,000 francs. Hard to imagine that happening today.

America still had to pay for the pedestal and this was almost the project's undoing. After years of lacklustre support, it was only thanks to a fundraising drive by Joseph Pulitzer, the publisher of the New York World newspaper, that the remaining $US100,000 was raised. He pledged to print the name of every donor in the paper, prompting a flood of donations, many from those that could least afford it – 80 per cent were in increments of less than a dollar.

If Bartholdi's nerve hadn't been tested enough already, the steamer that brought the disassembled statue over from France almost capsized in rough seas. It took 16 months to complete the pedestal and reconstruct the statue on what is now known as Liberty Island but, finally, on October 28, 1886, New York gained what is arguably the world's most recognisable sculpture.

Until earlier this year, this epic tale had been recounted somewhat underwhelmingly by a small museum on the first floor of the statue's pedestal. However, in May, a new, sleek, purpose-built space opened on the opposite side of the island, which is free and accessible to all.

Containing more than 150 artefacts, it does a grand job of explaining Bartholdi's vision, his ground-breaking collaboration with Gustave Eiffel (who designed the interior support structure) and the logistical challenges of such an ambitious and – at times – controversial project.

Highlights include a rousing 10-minute film narrated by American news anchor Diane Sawyer; an immersive reconstruction of Bartholdi's workshop; and the sculpture's original torch, which was replaced in 1986. There are interactive elements too, including kiosks that encourage visitors to reflect on the concept of liberty. Combined with self-portrait photos, these answers are incorporated into an impressive moving collage displayed on a large LED screen.

Refreshingly, there's a noticeable lack of the chest-thumping US patriotism one might expect somewhere like this. The museum acknowledges that many people still don't enjoy the basic human rights of freedom and equality – and that while for some the statue is a symbol of hope and encouragement, for others it's a reminder of intolerance and injustice.