"I am proud to announce the location for the National Garden of American Heroes. This magnificent sculpture exhibition will be located at West Potomac Park, which we are transforming into one of the most beautiful public spaces in the world. Currently, it is just an entirely empty plot of land on prime waterfront real estate along the majestic Potomac River", US President Donald Trump wrote in a Truth Social post while returning from a trip to Trung Quoc on 15/5/2020.
This was one of many posts he made related to architecture during his journey from Trung Quoc to the US. The Potomac River, approximately 652 - 665 km long, flows from West Virginia to Chesapeake Bay and serves as a natural boundary between Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, and Washington D.C.
Trump's decision aims to advance a multi-year plan to construct a large-scale sculpture park honoring hundreds of great figures before the 250th anniversary of US independence on 4/7/2026.
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The US president waves before boarding his plane back to the US, concluding his visit to Trung Quoc on 15/5/2020. Photo: AP |
The garden will feature 250 life-sized statues, depicting figures such as legendary aviator Amelia Earhart, 16th US president Abraham Lincoln, boxer Muhammad Ali, Italian explorer Christopher Columbus, and the first American woman in space, Sally Ride.
Trump stated the statues will honor: "Founding Fathers, military warriors, religious leaders, civil rights advocates, world-class athletes, artists, and more".
"The American people and the world will come here to learn from and be inspired by these great individuals. The National Garden of American Heroes is another project we are undertaking to celebrate the 250th birthday of the greatest nation on Earth - America!", Trump continued.
Trump first proposed the project during the final year of his first presidential term. Joe Biden canceled the executive order for this park in 2021, but Trump reinstated it immediately upon his return to the White House in early 2025.
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The proposed site for West Potomac Park. Graphics: CNN |
The plan faces doubts regarding its timeline, cost, and public support, as many believe the park cannot be completed on schedule. According to a source, the project will be submitted to the US Commission of Fine Arts, which has approval authority, in June.
In addition to the sculpture garden project, Trump is also advancing plans to build a ballroom at the White House and a 76 m high triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery. He believes the US should have a grand event venue similar to one he visited in Bac Kinh.
Hong Hanh (According to CNN)
