The White House Rose Garden, a historic outdoor space near the Oval Office, has undergone significant changes under President Donald Trump, including the installation of statues of American founders and the replacement of its lawn with a stone patio. These additions align with Trump's broader initiative to renovate and redecorate various parts of the White House and its grounds.
Among the new sculptures is a bronze depiction of Thomas Jefferson signing the Declaration of Independence. The artist, George Lundeen, a sculptor from Loveland, Colorado, gifted the piece to the White House. It joins existing statues of George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and Benjamin Franklin, along with a fifth sculpture titled "Freedom’s Charge."
Lundeen created the Jefferson sculpture decades ago and decided to send it to Trump for display ahead of the 250th birthday of American Independence. He expressed a desire for visitors to see Jefferson in the act of writing the Declaration. The statue was delayed due to security measures surrounding July Fourth events, but Trump saw photos and approved its placement in the Rose Garden. Trump called Lundeen to express his appreciation, which was captured on a voicemail recording.
Details regarding the other statues are less extensive. The statue of George Washington was reportedly on loan from Harlan Crow, a real estate tycoon and Republican donor. The "Freedom’s Charge" sculpture, a 14-foot-tall bronze piece featuring two Revolutionary War soldiers, was relocated from Dallas.
Statues of Franklin and Hamilton were provided by anonymous donors. White House spokesperson Davis Ingle stated that Trump has undertaken numerous beautification projects at the White House, including restorations of landmarks and improvements to the Reflecting Pool, as part of a vision to honor America's 250th birthday.
Trump's renovations extend beyond the Rose Garden. A statue of Christopher Columbus was installed on the grounds of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in March. Additionally, the National Park Service has placed sculptures near the White House with Revolutionary-era themes. A larger project, the National Garden of American Heroes, is planned near the National Mall, intended to feature sculptures of 250 significant Americans.
The Rose Garden's transformation into a stone patio mirrors the design of the garden at Trump's Mar-a-Lago property in Palm Beach, Florida. This project is part of a series of renovations by the president aimed at leaving a lasting mark on Washington, D.C. through various construction projects.
Previously, first lady Melania Trump commissioned a work by Japanese American sculptor Isamu Noguchi, marking the first time an Asian American artist was featured in the White House collection. In 2015, former first lady Michelle Obama's renovation of the Old Family Dining Room included a painting by Alma Thomas, the first African American female artist to have her work included in the collection.