Located in Croaker, Virginia lies sculptures of all the 42 presidents who once ruled the United States of America. David Adickes who is the brains behind the monuments got his inspiration from Mount Rushmore to make sculptures that would not only attract tourists but also preserve history. Years later the gigantic tourist attraction monuments that were once at the heart of President Park in Williamsburg lie ruined at a rural private property in Virginia.

How did the busts end up wasted and mangled?

The park operated for 6 years until late 2010 when it faced financial troubles due to the low turnout of visitors at the park. Many say that the location of the park was not thought through and it was the reason visitors stopped visiting the park. In 2012, two years after its closure the park was put for auction leaving out the busts. A car dealership company later bought the piece of land ordering the demolition of the sculptures. Lucky enough Howard Hankins who was the lead contractor who built the park back in 2004 was hired to finish the job he started by demolishing the busts. Hankins, who is a historian, could not convince himself to do it and therefore offered to take the sculptures for safekeeping at his property in Croaker. The shipment of the busts from Williamsburg to Croaker was not a walk in the park and in the process a number of them were destroyed by the metallic crane that was used in loading them into a truck.

Benefits brought by the Sculptures in Williamsburg

Domestic and international tourism in the state of Virginia specifically in Williamsburg was high at the time the park was opened. Many flocked at the park to have a glimpse at history. At the same time, schools all over the states used the park to educate and inspire children.

Are the President heads still there?

Yes, all the 42 president heads sculptures still lie in the grass further decaying at Hankins property. The property is out of bounds to visitors not allowing anyone to tour the place. Hankins says he is collaborating with the local governments as he has plans of rehabilitating the sculptures and opening up a new and bigger park and museum.