If two heads are better than one, how good would 42 heads be?
That’s the question at Presidents Park, located at
I-64 and Route 199, across the highway from Water Country USA.
The park features large busts of each U.S. president. Each
bust is made of concrete and steel, with "major" presidents depicted in larger
busts standing as high as 18 feet tall.
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The park is open April to August from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and
September to March from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It's closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
Extended hours are available for groups with advance reservations. Tickets are $9.75 for adults, $6.50 for children ages 6 to 17, and $8.75 for seniors age 55 and older and military personnel. Call 259-1121 or (800) 588-4327.
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The park is the creation of Houston sculptor and painter
David Adickes.
News of the park created controversy when it was first
announced because the initial plan called for a 75-foot statue of George Washington.
That proposal was canned as many in the local area said it
wouldn’t fit in with the area’s historical focus. Eventually the site qualified
for museum status in York County.
The museum is open year-round, except for
Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Operating hours will vary by season.
Visitors can take self-guided tours as part of the
admission price. Informational signs, color-coded by theme, are placed at each
presidential bust.
In addition, signs identify 14 "Defining Moments in
American History," and some feature audio information.
One-hour guided tours for groups of 10 or more are
available with advance reservations. The fee is $2 per person.
The site also offers educational programs with advance
registration required. The programs include teacher materials and a guided educational
tour for an extra $2 per person.
Another option is "An Evening with the Presidents," featuring a
self-guided tour followed by dinner with entertainment.
Presidents Park also features a 10,000-square-foot building
that houses a gift shop, cafe, classrooms and meeting and banquet space.