Triumphal Arch, Garden of Heroes
The National Park Service recently invited the FDR Memorial Foundation to serve as a consulting party for the proposed “Triumphal Arch” project between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.
What is a consulting party? In the federal historic preservation review process, consulting parties are organizations, agencies, and individuals invited to participate in reviewing a project and providing input about its potential effects on historic and cultural resources. In practical terms, it gives the Foundation a recognized seat at the table as the project is reviewed.
The National Park Service identified the FDR Memorial as a resource that could potentially be affected by the proposed arch. Given the distance and topography between the two sites, the project is expected to have little to no effect on the Memorial.
The Foundation is also monitoring the proposed Garden of Heroes, which would be considerably closer to the FDR Memorial. The proposed location appears to be at the far end of the Memorial, along the grassy area leading toward the Jefferson Memorial.
Because of its proximity, the Foundation has requested consulting party status for this project as well. The NPS has advised us that there is currently no schedule for the project. The New York Times reported on September 2, 2026, that the Justice Department characterized the Garden of Heroes as “still a preliminary concept.” Several preservation and cultural organizations have filed a lawsuit concerning the proposal.
The Foundation will continue to follow these and other projects near the Memorial. Understanding how changes to the surrounding National Mall landscape could affect the Memorial is an important part of our work to protect and preserve this nationally significant place.
We will keep our supporters informed as these projects develop and as additional information becomes available.