President Donald Trump‘s National Garden of American Heroes has finally received the funding necessary just in time for the United States of America’s 250th birthday.
This is the latest on a 2020 promise from Trump to display 250 statues of prominent figures in American history. Some of these include John Adams, Clara Barton, Orville and Wilbur Wright, Douglas MacArthur, Martin Luther King Jr., and Christa McAuliffe. The National Endowment for the Humanities and the National Endowment for the Arts are combining to actualize Trump’s promise.
“NEH and NEA have jointly committed a total of $34 million to the creation of the National Garden of American Heroes. Of this $34 million, the two cultural agencies will devote $30 million from their FY 2025 appropriations to enable the creation of statues in marble, granite, bronze, copper, or brass depicting historical figures tied to the accomplishments of the United States,” a press release read. “This new grant program is part of NEH’s larger A More Perfect Union initiative focused on exploring America’s story and celebrating its 250 years of cultural heritage.”
The NEH is currently soliciting statue designs. Artists chosen will be granted $200,000 for as many as three statues each. The application will close on July 1, 2025, allowing about a year before the 250th birthday.
“The garden will provide the public with an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of how the lives and accomplishments of these individuals have shaped our history and culture,” Acting NEH Chairman Michael McDonald said.
SECRET SERVICE TO CREATE REPLICA WHITE HOUSE FOR DEFENSE TRAINING
Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) had introduced legislation to establish the National Garden of Heroes. With this collaboration between the NEH and NEA, it remains to be seen how much more funding will be necessary from Congress to establish the garden. Mast’s bill called to establish a budget for the garden.
In South Dakota, fireworks will return to Mount Rushmore for the anniversary. The multiday celebration will begin on July 3, 2026. This follows years where the display wasn’t allowed by the National Park Service under then-President Joe Biden.
