Donald Trump added a new statue to the White House Rose Garden. See how the space has changed over the years.
The White House Rose Garden has undergone several design changes throughout its history, most recently featuring a new patio space and statues added by President Donald Trump in 2025. The article traces the garden's evolution from its origins as a colonial space to its current iteration.
Why it matters
The Rose Garden is a symbolic space for American political history, and changes to its design often reflect the priorities and aesthetics of different administrations.
The White House Rose Garden, then and now. Library of Congress ; Aaron Schwartz/CNP/Bloomberg via Getty Images Ellen Wilson, the wife of Woodrow Wilson, established the Rose Garden in 1913. It was redesigned under the Kennedy administration and has hosted many historic events. Donald Trump paved over the grass in the Rose Garden, turning it into a patio space. Before the White House had a Rose Garden, the land was used for horse stables. Under the tutelage of first ladies throughout history, the garden was built and transformed into a colorful landscape with a well-manicured event space. In one of many decor changes President Donald Trump has made during his second non-consecutive term, the White House unveiled a redesigned Rose Garden in August 2025 featuring a patio space made of stone tiles. Trump has continued to redecorate the space with gold lettering, plaques, and statues of the Founding Fathers.
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