There are places you think you already know.
And then they surprise you.
That’s exactly what happened to me at Liberty State Park in Jersey City.
I went there to enjoy one of the best views of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty, but I came home with a story I never knew existed.
Because, believe it or not, the Statue of Liberty was lying down.
Not the original, of course.
But for nearly a year, Liberty State Park was home to an extraordinary public art installation called “Reclining Liberty.” Seeing it in person felt almost surreal.
The sculpture was on display from May 2022 through April 2023, right beside the ferry terminal where visitors depart for Liberty Island. And that’s where the real magic happened.
Looking across the water, you could see the original Statue of Liberty standing proudly on Liberty Island while, just a short distance away, her reclining counterpart rested peacefully on the grass in New Jersey.
Seeing both statues in the same view was a rare and unforgettable experience.
Two Statues of Liberty in One View
The most fascinating part wasn’t just the sculpture itself.
It was where it was placed.
The reclining Statue of Liberty faced New Jersey, with its back toward New York. Just across the narrow stretch of water, on Liberty Island, stood the original Statue of Liberty.
They were close enough that visitors could see both statues at the same time.
One stood tall.
The other lay peacefully on the grass.
For a few moments, it almost felt as if they were quietly watching over one another across the harbor.
It was one of those rare moments when art and reality seemed to exist in the same frame.
I couldn’t resist taking pictures.
Why Was It Created?
The sculpture was created by American artist Zaq Landsberg, inspired by the famous reclining Buddha statues found throughout Asia.
His idea was simple.
The original Statue of Liberty is always seen from below. We admire it, but we can never truly get close to it.
So he created a version that brought this powerful symbol down to our level.
Visitors could walk right up to it, touch it, sit beside it, and take photos. For a moment, one of America’s greatest icons no longer felt distant—it felt welcoming.
Did You Know the Statue of Liberty Has a Special Connection to New Jersey?
Most people automatically say the Statue of Liberty is in New York.
And technically, that’s true.
Liberty Island belongs to the State of New York.
But what many people don’t realize is that the island is surrounded by the waters of New Jersey, and Liberty State Park offers one of the closest and most spectacular views of the monument.
Perhaps that’s exactly why the artist chose this location.
It almost felt as though the two Statues of Liberty were quietly connected across the harbor—one standing proudly on Liberty Island, the other resting peacefully on the New Jersey shore.
One Park, Two Very Different Stories
What makes Liberty State Park so special isn’t just its stunning views or unique public art.
It’s a place where two completely different chapters of American history come together.
On one side stands the historic Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal, where millions of immigrants began their new lives after passing through Ellis Island. Together with the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, it became a powerful symbol of hope, opportunity, and new beginnings.
But just a short distance away lies the site of one of the darkest moments in American history.
In the early hours of July 30, 1916, German saboteurs detonated a massive ammunition depot on Black Tom Island, creating one of the largest explosions the United States had ever experienced before 9/11.
The blast shattered windows across Lower Manhattan, was felt as far away as Philadelphia, and even damaged the Statue of Liberty itself.
One piece of shrapnel struck the statue’s raised arm, and the explosion damaged parts of the monument and its pedestal. As a result, the original torch was closed to visitors—and it has never reopened.
Standing in Liberty State Park today, it’s remarkable to realize that one place can tell two very different American stories: one about millions of people arriving in search of freedom, and another about an attack that left its mark on one of the nation’s greatest symbols.
The Kind of Story I Love Discovering
Today, “Reclining Liberty” is no longer in Liberty State Park.
It was always meant to be a temporary installation.
I’m simply grateful that I had the chance to see it—and photograph it—while it was there.
It’s not every day that you can stand in one spot and see two Statues of Liberty at the same time.
One has stood proudly as a symbol of freedom for nearly 140 years.
The other reminded us, if only for a little while, that sometimes the most familiar symbols become even more meaningful when we see them from a completely different perspective.
Maybe that’s what I love most about New Jersey. Just when you think you’ve seen everything, it surprises you with a story you never expected to find.
By Jenny