Kathmandu— President Donald Trump has redesigned the White House Rose Garden, replacing its traditional grass lawn with a white stone patio and adding statues of prominent American founders like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, and Benjamin Franklin. The makeover, which includes sculptures gifted or loaned from private individuals, mirrors design elements found at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida and is part of a larger series of renovations undertaken during his presidency to leave a lasting mark on the nation's capital.

A Garden Remade

Trump replaced the Rose Garden’s lush lawn with a stone patio, installing statues after doing so. At least one statue was gifted by sculptor George Lundeen of Colorado—a bronze depiction of Thomas Jefferson signing the Declaration of Independence—while others were loaned from anonymous donors and Harlan Crow, a Texas real estate tycoon. A fifth sculpture, titled “Freedom’s Charge,” depicting Revolutionary War soldiers, was relocated from Dallas.

Statues Arrive With Stories

Lundeen explained he created the Jefferson statue decades ago and sent it to Trump in time for July Fourth celebrations, though delivery was delayed due to security concerns. President Trump personally thanked Lundeen via voicemail, sharing his appreciation for the sculpture’s beauty and its planned placement in the Rose Garden. Barber, a collaborator of Lundeen's, noted he had been contacting the White House for months about the statue before receiving a response just weeks before Independence Day.

Broader Renovation Efforts

The Rose Garden renovations are part of a wider pattern of changes Trump has made to the White House grounds and beyond. These include a gilded makeover of the Oval Office, construction of a ballroom and helipad on the south grounds, and plans for a National Garden of American Heroes near the National Mall—a project currently facing legal challenges. Next door to the White House, Trump also had a statue of Christopher Columbus installed at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.

A Presidential Tradition

The White House has long served as a showcase for art and historical artifacts. Previous first ladies, including Michelle Obama and Melania Trump, have also added pieces to the collection, highlighting diverse artists and perspectives. Davis Ingle, a White House spokesperson, emphasized that no other president has done more to beautify the White House and its surroundings, framing the renovations as necessary and long overdue.

The White House continues to evaluate potential additions to the Rose Garden and National Garden of American Heroes, with Lundeen and Barber expressing interest in contributing further sculptures.

(With inputs from AP)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.