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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on March 31, 2010.
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In 1883, The Statue of Liberty had been completed by sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi. It was ready to ship to America, but a site and pedestal for the statue had still not been accounted for. It was up to the people of America to secure a home for this colossal gift. Fundraising efforts were failing and the campaign to bring Lady Liberty to New York seemed to be at its darkest hour. Just then Joseph Pulitzer, owner and editor of the “New York World” newspaper, introduced to all of his readers the new “Pedestal Fund”. He announced that any individual who made a financial contribution of any amount would have their name printed in his newspaper. It caught on. Pennies, nickels, dimes, and dollars began to roll in to the fund. By October 28,1886, the veil was lifted on Lady Liberty as she stood proudly on her new pedestal made possible by the seemingly insignificant donations of the people. In keeping with this spirit, we at the City Reliquary must turn to you. We remind you as Joseph Pulitzer did, that NO DONATION IS TOO INSIGNIFICANT. And in return, we will gladly post your name online among our list of loyal supporters who truly help to keep the doors of our museum open, “for-the-people, not-for-profit!”
Pledge $5 or more
And receive an Authentic DSNY Street Sweeper Bristle! Ever wonder about those long skinny pieces of metal you see in the gutters of all major cities? Turns out, they are bristles that have broken off from the city's street sweepers. And as an added bonus, these elegant artifacts have long been used as lock picks.
Pledge $10 or more
And receive a deceptively lifelike Croton Bug by parcel post. These insects (also known as American Cockroaches) arrived in New York City in 1842 via the Croton River Aqueduct. With the Croton Bugs came 90 million gallons of fresh drinking water per day, a fair trade to a city thirsty for sanitary drinking water.
Pledge $20 or more
And a City Reliquary Pot Holder is yours! Food just tastes better when it's cooked using a Statue of Liberty themed pot holder. It tastes more... civic.
Pledge $50 or more
Official Membership to the City Reliquary As a member, you'll have pride of place when you bring your parents and friends in to visit the museum. Indeed, no trip to Williamsburg is complete without a stop by the City Reliquary!
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On April 1st, 2006, The City Reliquary opened it's doors at 370 Metropolitan Avenue, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Since then, collections have expanded and precious wall space has all but disappeared. State of Liberty postcards, terracotta fragments of landmark buildings, subway tokens, geological core samples, paint chips from the L train, and a “very old shovel” each tell their own story of New York City’s past. Rotating exhibitions of community collections can be seen in the storefront window: giant pencils, copper jelly molds, pulleys, and now unicorns – each celebrate the community of New York’s present.
As the museum has grown, so has its programming. The City Reliquary hosts block parties, backyard concerts, and film events throughout the year. To foster future generations of collectors, The City Reliquary collaborates with PS132 to create exhibitions of student work. Every year, generous donations from patrons like you help us to continue expanding our collections and programs.
