Trump's Hero Garden Dreams While Historic Black Landmarks Crumble Under Biden

President Donald Trump's announcement of a new National Garden of American Heroes — featuring statues of notable Black Americans including Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks and Frederick Douglass — has sparked a complex debate about historical recognition. Yet merely blocks away from Trump's former New York home stands a forgotten treasure that already embodies this vision: the Hall of Fame for Great Americans in the Bronx.

This Stanford White-designed masterpiece, once a national sensation, now crumbles in obscurity. "While we are closed," reads its website with a hint of resignation, "please refer to our Hall of Fame Brochure." The site needs approximately $12 million in repairs — a fraction of what a new garden would cost.

Meanwhile, in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood, another historical gem has captured public attention. Colored School No 4, built in 1850, recently achieved landmark status after a four-and-a-half-year campaign. Eric K Washington, an independent scholar who championed its preservation, notes the building's subtle presence: "I had passed it a thousand times... If you blink, you miss it."

The school's alumni roster reads like a who's who of Black achievement, including James H Williams — the subject of Washington's research — and William Appo, a renowned musician who performed for Queen Victoria. The building's future remains uncertain, though Mayor Eric Adams has pledged $6 million toward its restoration.

These preservation efforts unfold against a backdrop of significant economic upheaval. Since 2021, the definition of "middle class" has shifted dramatically — not in technical terms, but in lived experience. As personal finance expert Kristy Kim explains, "What used to feel like a comfortable income now barely covers the basics in many parts of the country."

The numbers tell a stark story: grocery prices have surged over 25% since early 2021, while median home prices have jumped by $64,200. Meanwhile, average wages have increased by just $6,047 — leaving many Americans struggling to maintain their standard of living.

The contrast between these narratives — historical preservation and economic pressure — highlights a nation at a crossroads. While we debate which heroes to immortalize in bronze, existing monuments deteriorate, and historical sites await uncertain futures. The middle class, once the backbone of American society, faces unprecedented challenges.

Joshua Goodman, deputy commissioner for public affairs at DSNY, describes the extensive damage to Colored School No 4: "The masonry is very badly damaged, as are the wooden windows, joists, fixtures, walls and flooring." Yet despite these challenges, preservationists remain hopeful.

"Everyone was really happy when it became a landmark," Washington reflects, "But becoming a landmark is really just the first step." His vision for the school extends beyond mere preservation — he imagines a cultural center with performance spaces and broadcasting facilities, continuing its educational legacy for future generations.

As America confronts questions about whom to honor and how to preserve its past, these stories suggest that perhaps we need not build new monuments when we could restore and reimagine the ones we already have — while ensuring that the Americans who would visit them can still afford to do so.