Designers have presented various plans for transforming the Rose Garden, discussing the materials to be used and the idea of adding hardwood floors for dancing. Despite its name, the garden currently resembles an open lawn with rose bushes and other plants rather than a traditional sprawling garden. The roses are expected to remain in place.
President Joe Biden spoke about gun violence in the Rose Garden of the White House on April 11, 2022. While the administration has not officially disclosed specific renovation plans for the garden, White House Communications Director Steven Cheung outlined a broader statement about President Trump’s intentions to enhance the building.
According to the National Parks Department, the roots of the Rose Garden date back to 1903 (some sources mention 1902), when then First Lady Edith Roosevelt created a colonial-style garden in the space. The iconic modern Rose Garden was established during the Kennedy administration, when First Lady Jackie Kennedy, with the help of decorator Rachel Lambert “Bunny” Mellon, redesigned the outdoor space near the Oval Office, drawing inspiration from European gardens they had admired during their state visit in 1961.
The garden, with its magnolia trees, crab-apple trees, boxwoods, roses, and herbs, has continued to be a charming setting for various events over the years, from press conferences to formal dinners to private moments for the first families.
During Melania Trump’s tenure as First Lady, she made notable changes to refresh the garden, marking the first significant modifications to its design.
In the span of 60 years, the renovation of the Rose Garden at the White House stirred up significant controversy. Critics were particularly vocal about the removal of two rows of flowering crabapple trees, although reports suggested that these trees were relocated elsewhere on the grounds. However, the renovation brought about modernization of the garden’s electrical and irrigation infrastructure, enhancing accessibility for individuals with disabilities. As of now, the First Lady has not made any public statements regarding her husband’s intentions for the space.
A photograph captured shortly after Melania Trump’s redesign of the Rose Garden showcases the updated features, including a reimagined layout of plantings, new limestone walkways, and technological advancements such as a modern irrigation system. This transformation of the historic garden serves as just one element of Trump’s focus on the Kennedy family legacy. Recent actions include his self-appointment as chair of the Kennedy Center by strategically placing allies on the board, a decision to halt funding and potentially dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) founded by President Kennedy in 1961, an Executive Order for the full disclosure of remaining records linked to JFK’s assassination, and the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Senator Kennedy’s son, for the role of Secretary of Health and Human Services. RFK Jr. officially assumed the position on Thursday.
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