Presidential Decay: A Visit to Virginia’s Giant President Heads
I don’t remember where I saw it the first time, but it immediately became part of my bucket list of places to go. I was intrigued; it was absurd, quirky and weird, and I couldn’t help but crave the experience of seeing and photographing them. Over the next two to three years, I’d randomly pop onto their website to check if tours were still being offered. At least once a year, I’d talk about them endlessly to anybody who would listen. I HAD to see these giant, crumbling president heads. In 2021, I drove a friend out to Washington, D.C., and had a few days to explore while she visited family. These giant, crumbling faces were immediately added to my itinerary. I was fortunate they had a tour during the trip as they aren't frequently or regularly offered.
I’m not sure exactly what I expected; I’m one of those “see it and gotta experience it” girls. Planning, preparing, and having a set expectation aren’t really my style. Still, it was everything I had hoped for and nothing like I had imagined at the same time. Quite muddy, a little smelly, middle-of-nowhere field sprinkled with 20-foot-tall presidential busts with cracked faces, shoulders crumbling, and eyes hollowed by time and weather. It was surreal. It was eerie. And honestly, it was a little creepy and exciting.
I’ve always loved history - the stories, remnants of past lives, the way time leaves its mark on everything it touches. The way things come back around. We’re used to grand, polished statues and maintained landmarks, but history feels abandoned, cracked, and exposed here, and it’s fascinating.
These president heads once stood at Presidential Park in Williamsburg, VA, in an open museum that featured 43 giant busts of former U.S. presidents. When the park closed in 2010 due to lack of visitors, the sculptures were saved from destruction and moved to this property, where they’ve been slowly decaying ever since. There was even a tiny Barack Obama bust, meant to be a model for a full-sized sculpture. Still, the park’s closure meant little Obama never got to be big Barack. (Sorry, buddy)
Walking between the narrow rows of heads was weird - close together, tromping through the mud and water, clay sticking to our boots, making them heavy. The way they towered us by slightly under 15 feet taller than me, looking up at their cracked faces, broken glasses, and ties that looked like the plaster could be peeled right off at any second. Some of them were pieces that had entirely fallen off and/or collapsed in. It was mesmerizing.
Ever since my visit, I’ve been watching for one of their occasional night photography workshops. Photographing these massive, weathered, crumbling faces under the stars would be so much fun. So here’s to hopefully someday getting to see - and capture - the presidents after dark.
If you’re into weird roadside attractions, forgotten history, and exploring things off the beaten path, I highly recommend checking out these forgotten giants. Just bring boots you’re okay with ruining and an open mind to absorb it all. Oh, and be prepared - James Buchanan’s eyes feel like they're staring straight through you as you walk by. It’s a little creepy, and I could definitely feel him judging.
You can find info and details on their website www.thepresidentsheads.com
