The Promised Land (sculpture)


The Promised Land is an outdoor bronze sculpture by David Manuel, located in Chapman Square, Plaza Blocks in Portland, Oregon.

Description and history

The Promised Land is a bronze sculpture depicting a pioneer family, including a father, mother and son, at the end of their journey. It was commissioned by the Oregon Trail Coordinating Council for $150,000 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Oregon Trail. The sculpture measures approximately x x. The Smithsonian Institution offers the following description:
The sculpture was completed and copyrighted in 1993, and dedicated on March 17 of that year. According to Smithsonian, which surveyed the work through its "Save Outdoor Sculpture!" program in October 1993, the sculpture was located at the Oregon History Center at 1200 Southeast Park Avenue and was administered by the Oregon Trail Coordinating Council. It was set on a laminated board base which measured approximately x x and weighed 3,000 lbs., and was considered "well maintained" at the time of the survey. Today, the sculpture is located at Chapman Square, one of the Plaza Blocks, and rests on a red granite slab which contains an inscription of a quote by Thomas Jefferson. The plaza in front of the sculpture has sandblasted black bear, coyote, elk, grouse, jackrabbit, black bear and porcupine footprints, plus moccasin prints.

Vandalism and removal

The artwork was vandalized during the local George Floyd protests.