Could President Washington, Lincoln, Roosevelt statues return to Portland?
Editor’s note: The story has been updated to reflect the program working with Commissioner Ryan’s office on the presidential monuments removed in 2020.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — In March, Portland Commissioner Dan Ryan and the City Arts Program will meet to discuss how the city might bring back some of the monuments toppled or removed during the 2020 protests.
The spokesperson for Commissioner Ryan’s office Mark Jamieson told KOIN 6 News that Ryan and the City Arts Program will ultimately present their recommendations to the Portland City Council. These recommendations will likely include plans to work with the Historic Landmarks Commission to formally remove the “Promised Land” and “Harvey Scott” statues, and also reintroduce some of the city’s toppled presidents.
“The report will likely recommend the return of presidents George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt with new interpretative and educational elements,” Jamieson said.
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The Harvey Scott statue, which was torn from its Mt. Tabor pedestal by protesters in November of 2019, was replaced with a bust of York — the sole Black member of the Lewis and Clark expedition — in February of 2021. The George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt statues were toppled in June and October of 2020.
The city estimates that it will cost $775,000 to repair the damaged Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Theodore Roosevelt, “Promised Land” and Harvey Scott monuments. The Regional Arts and Culture Council has submitted a portion of its insurance claim for the monuments and the City’s Risk Management team is actively negotiating with the insurance company regarding the payout, Jamieson said. The restoration work can begin once the claims are settled.
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