Presidents Park Brings Leadership to Life

Once referred to as the mother of presidents, the Commonwealth of Virginia is very proud of the role that the state has played in American history. The birthplace for four out of the first five U.S. Presidents as well as four others, Virginia celebrates its famous sons with its Presidents Park, a museum of the U.S. presidents.

Located in historical Williamsburg, Virginia, the Presidents Park provides a fascinating tour through the lives, loves, successes, and defeats of those rare men who have held the highest office in the nation. The park hopes to build a better understanding of the American presidency as a whole as well as shed light upon the men who have held this important position. It strives to paint a picture that will allow individuals to see our nation's former presidents as human beings as well as historical figures.

All 43 U.S. Presidents are represented with fully detailed busts designed by internationally known artist David Adickes. It took the famed artist, who was 68 years of age when he began, a full five years to complete the first 42 statues. Each bust ranges from 16 to 18 feet in size and is made of cast Portland concrete over steel armature. Each weighs approximately 7,500 pounds.

In additional to the presidential busts, the park also boasts a replica of a Boeing 707 used in the 70's for Air Force One and an exact replica of the White House oval office. The first floor museum also contains:

• Replicas of First Lady Gowns;
• A Palm Beach County, Florida 2000 Voting Machine;
• Samples of White House China Patterns;
• Cufflinks, Watches, and Other Presidential Personal Memorabilia; and
• A Virginia Presidents Photo Display.

The garden area where the busts are displayed also contains five defining moments in U.S. history. Each plays music from the period in question and shares a significant moment in time:

1. The American Revolution depicts Patrick Henry's "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" speech.
2. The Civil War depicts Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.
3. Protecting Our National Resources depicts Theodore Roosevelt's valiant effort to further establish natural conservation in the American west.
4. The Civil Rights Movement depicts Reverend Martin Luther King's "I Had a Dream" speech.
5. The Newburgh Conspiracy depicts General George Washington's farewell address to his officers.

There are an additional nine defining moments of American history featured throughout the park, each featuring a powerful message.:

1. The Founding Documents;
2. Territorial Expansion;
3. Labor Movement;
4. World War I;
5. September 11, 2001;
6. Great Depression;
7. World War II;
8. Landing on the Moon; and
9. Korea, Cold War & Superpower.

The self-guided tour is color-coded for ease of recognition. These themes receive special attention because of their import to nation and, therefore, to the presidency.

Red lettering signifies information dealing with religion, human rights, civil rights, and slavery as well as on assassinations and near misses.

Freedom of religion has been a prime concern for the presidency since the initial formation of the government. Recognizing the obvious danger to liberty that a state authorized religion could impose, the framers of the Constitution had the foresight to clearly separate church and sate by guaranteeing a freedom of religion for all.

Another crucial area of concern throughout our nation's history was how people should be treated as citizens of America. Stories that cover the abolishment of slavery, the Trail of Tears, and Japanese-American internment camps highlight both the positive and negative aspects of our nation's history.

Four presidents have been assassinated in office and another five survived attempts on their lives. Another four presidents died naturally in office. All of this information is shared in story throughout the Presidents Park.

Green lettering signifies information concerning the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The Constitution contains the rules of government which are outlined in stories throughout the park. There have only been 27 formal amendments ratified to the original document. These included the woman's right to vote as well as the legalization of income tax.

Black lettering covers information on first ladies and each president's efforts to protect the nation. Many first ladies were as fascinating - - or even more fascinating - - than their husbands. Stories throughout the park share information on these women who were integral parts of America's history.

Actions of the nation's Commander in Chief have always been geared to protect the people of the United States. Some presidents have served in times of great crisis and many have been heroes in their own right. Information on these great men is shared throughout the park.

In addition to its self-guided tours, Presidents Park offers a variety of educational tours. These educational tours are designed to inspire, motivate, and educate students while building a sense of patriotic pride. Educational tours are formulated to specifically meet the Virginia Standards of Learning.

For history buffs, Presidents Park offers a new source of information about the men who have guided our country for over 200 years. For artists, the park offers incredibly lifelike statues for some of America's greatest men. For parents and grandparents, the park provides a creative way to teach their children why the United States of America is one of the greatest countries in the world. In short, no matter the need, Presidents Park has a great deal to offer.

Day passes are available at a cost of $13 per adult and $12 per senior or child over 6. Children under the age of five get in free. Yearly park memberships are available for $40 and cover a full 12-month membership. The hours and days of park operation vary according to the season of the year.

While the park is recommended for children over the age of five, we took are grandson who is not yet four and he had a wonderful time. He was fascinated with the size of the sculptures and the faces of the various Presidents. He really enjoyed the tour of the Air Force One replica. Although I'm sure he will enjoy the park more as he grows older and begins to learn history, I think this was a great place to begin his historical journey.

The Presidents Park has its own gift shop, picnic area, and café. Photos are allowed throughout the park with the exception of the replicas of the oval office and Air Force One. There is a fee for photographs taken in either of those areas.

Benches are conveniently located throughout the park and a garden gazebo is situated to provide additional seating. Both the park and museum are fully accessible for people using wheelchairs or motorized scooters. Wheelchairs are available for use at no cost.

For more information, contact Winette Jeffery, Park Director, at wjeffery@presidentspark.org.