Rose Garden patio displays founders’ figures amid wider construction projects
A bronze statue of Thomas Jefferson now stands in the White House Rose Garden, depicting the founder seated and signing the Declaration of Independence. George Lundeen, a sculptor from Loveland, Colorado, gave the statue to President Donald Trump, according to the Associated Press.
The Jefferson figure is displayed with statues of George Washington, Alexander Hamilton and Ben Franklin. The patio also holds a fifth sculpture, “Freedom’s Charge.”
The sculptures have different arrangements. At least one was given as a gift, while other statues are on loan from people who wish to remain anonymous, the Associated Press reported.
The display sits on a white stone patio created after Trump replaced the Rose Garden’s lawn. The patio resembles the one at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home and private club in Palm Beach, Florida.
The Rose Garden changes are part of a wider set of work at the White House. Trump is also overseeing changes to the Oval Office and construction of a ballroom and helipad on the south grounds.
Trump’s plans extend beyond the White House grounds. They include a statue garden on federal land near the National Mall in downtown Washington.