On August 5, 1884, Bedloe’s Island in New York Harbor received the foundation stone for the Statue of Liberty.
One hundred years later, New York’s Masons put up a commemorative plaque that read, in part:
At this site on August 5, 1884, the cornerstone of the pedestal of the Statue of “Liberty Enlightening the World” was laid with ceremony by William A. Brodie, Grand Master of Masons in the State of New York. Grand lodge members, representatives of the United States and French governments, Army and Navy officers, members of foreign legations, and distinguished citizens were present. This plaque is dedicated by the Masons of New York in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of that historic event.
The island was renamed Liberty Island, in 1956.