President Donald Trump has officially revived the National Garden of American Heroes project as part of a sweeping initiative to commemorate the United States’ 250th anniversary of independence.
The project, which will be a centerpiece of the “Salute to America 250” campaign, aims to honor 250 prominent figures from American history with life-size statues crafted by American artists. The National Endowment for the Humanities and the National Endowment for the Arts will manage the effort, with up to $34 million allocated for grants. Selected artists could receive up to three grants of $200,000 each to create statues from materials such as marble, bronze, granite, copper, or brass.
The garden will include a wide range of figures representing the nation’s founding, military, scientific, cultural, and civil rights achievements. Planned honorees include President John Adams, nurse and humanitarian Clara Barton, aviation pioneers Orville and Wilbur Wright, General Douglas MacArthur, astronaut Neil Armstrong, and anti-slavery leader Frederick Douglass.
First proposed in 2020, the garden project was paused during the previous administration but has now been reinstated. While a final location has not yet been announced, possible sites include areas near Mount Rushmore in South Dakota.
The National Garden of American Heroes joins a series of planned events leading up to July 4, 2026, including a Great American State Fair, Patriot Games for student-athletes, and expanded educational programs aimed at celebrating the country’s history and heritage.
The initiative is envisioned as a lasting tribute to the individuals who have shaped America’s story and a place for future generations to learn and reflect on the nation’s enduring legacy.