Statues of US presidents' heads are crumbling in rural Virginia

July 4, 2026 - 00:34

In a quiet corner of rural Virginia, a collection of crumbling presidential statues has become an unlikely tourist destination. The massive heads of 42 U.S. presidents, each carved from concrete, stand weathered and worn in a field near the town of Croaker. They are the remnants of a once-popular attraction called Presidents Park, which closed in 2010.

When the park shut down, the statues were slated for destruction. But one man stepped in to save them. Howard Hankins, a local businessman, bought the entire collection for a fraction of their original cost. He moved the towering busts to his own property, where they have remained ever since.

The heads are not in pristine condition. Years of exposure to rain, wind, and sun have left them cracked, stained, and covered in moss. Some have lost parts of their faces. George Washington's nose is chipped. Abraham Lincoln's beard is overgrown with lichen. The decay has given the statues a haunting, almost ancient feel.

Despite their deterioration, the collection has drawn a steady stream of visitors. Tourists come to walk among the presidents, taking photos and marveling at the strange sight. What was once a forgotten relic of a failed theme park has become a roadside curiosity. Hankins says he never expected the statues to become so popular, but he is glad they were saved. For now, the heads remain where they are, slowly returning to the earth, one presidential smile at a time.