WASHINGTON—The restoration of The Liberty Rug, a historically significant carpet inspired by the initial floodlighting ceremony at the Statue of Liberty on Dec. 2, 1916, at which President Woodrow Wilson officiated, has been completed Restoration by Costikyan.

Woven in Amsterdam, N.Y. by the Shuttleworth Brothers the rug was the first of 20 that were made and presented to President Wilson by W&J Sloane, the sole agents for the design.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation commissioned Costikyan to restore the famous rug to its former magnificence. It is on display at Wilson Presidential Library in Staunton, Va.

An image of The Statue of Liberty occupies the center of the rug, and surrounding her are symbols of American heritage including Niagara Falls, the Mayflower, the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the Washington Monument, Capitol and Native American teepees, along with scenes of America circa 1916. A border surrounds the central images with illustrative medallions including many state seals.

Aviatrix Ruth Law flies over the Statue of Liberty in a biplane during the floodlighting ceremony. Also represented is a ship passing through the Panama Canal, opened during the Wilson administration, and a Model T Ford driving through a California Redwood tree.

The rug first occupied President Wilson’s bedroom at The White House prior to its installation at S Street in Wilson’s Library.

Costikyan has restored many other carpets of historical importance including the Laver Kirman Carpet at Hearst Castle in California and the 17th century Portuguese needlepoint in The Banquet Hall at Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Miami. The Costikyan family has been involved in consulting and participating in the selection, purchase and restoration of Oriental Rugs for the mansions of Newport, R.I., for four generations.