As the Distinguished Teaching Humanist focused on public history, Michael Robinson will be leading a roundtable discussion for UHart faculty on the topic of “Trump’s Triumphal Arch” on Tuesday, Nov. 17 from 12:45 p.m.–2 p.m. in the Greenberg Center. Lunch will be served at the event.
In 2025, President Trump announced plans to construct a 250-foot triumphal arch in Washington D.C. The arch would stand on Columbia Island, across the Potomac River from the Lincoln Memorial and directly in front of Arlington National Cemetery. In his announcement, Trump declared that the arch would commemorate the nation’s 250-year anniversary. Yet, when asked who the arch would be built for, Trump replied: “Me.” If the announcement offered mixed messages, this is nothing new. People have been building arches to frame urban gateways, commemorate battles, memorialize the dead, and celebrate emperors since the Roman period. Their meanings have changed to suit the needs of the cultural moment.
Interested participants will read three (very short) articles which offer competing visions of the triumphal arch. I am not an expert in architecture nor in triumphal arches! What I envision is a free-flowing discussion about how art, architecture, politics, and history collide in acts of public commemoration.
If you are interested in participating, please email Michael Robinson at microbins@hartford.edu by Thursday, Nov. 12.