Bronze Bison Statues Unveiled for America's 250th Birthday

In a tribute to America's 250th birthday, three larger-than-life bronze bison statues were unveiled on March 22, 2026, outside the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. These statues, depicting a bull, a cow, and a calf, honor the bison, which was designated as the national mammal of the United States in 2016 under a law signed by former President Barack Obama. The unveiling marks a significant moment in recognizing the bison's role in American history and conservation efforts.

Bronze Bison Statues Unveiled for America's 250th BirthdayAmerica's official mammal, the bison, gets a bronze tribute for the country's 250th birthdayUsNews and World Report

The statues were created by Gary Staab, a paleoartist based in Kearney, Missouri. Staab sculpted the full-size figures in foam and clay before they were cast in bronze and assembled at a foundry in Colorado. The entire process took approximately four months, which Staab described as “lighting fast” given the size of the sculptures. He emphasized the importance of the bison as a symbol of North American wildlife, stating, “They really represent a really unbelievably beautiful and unique thing about North America.”

UsNews and World ReportAmerica's official mammal, the bison, gets a bronze tribute for the country's 250th birthdayBronze Bison Statues Unveiled for America's 250th Birthday

Historically, millions of bison roamed the Great Plains, but the species faced near extinction in the 1800s due to overhunting and habitat loss. Conservation efforts have since played a crucial role in the recovery of bison populations, making their representation through these statues a poignant reminder of successful wildlife conservation in the United States. The bronze bison serve not only as artistic representations but also as symbols of the ongoing commitment to preserving this iconic species.

Bronze Bison Statues Unveiled for America's 250th Birthday

Gary Staab remarked on the significance of the bison statues, highlighting the collaborative efforts in conservation: “It’s a wonderful story of conservation working, it’s a story of people seeing a need and getting behind that to conserve an animal that is specific to North America.” The Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History has welcomed the statues as part of its exhibits celebrating America's 250th birthday, reinforcing the cultural and historical importance of the bison.

Bronze Bison Statues Unveiled for America's 250th BirthdayAmerica's official mammal, the bison, gets a bronze tribute for the country's 250th birthdayUsNews and World Report

The bronze bison statues will remain on permanent display at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, serving as a lasting tribute to the national mammal and the broader narrative of conservation in the United States. This installation is expected to inspire future generations to appreciate and engage in wildlife conservation efforts.

Bronze Bison Statues Unveiled for America's 250th BirthdayAmerica's official mammal, the bison, gets a bronze tribute for the country's 250th birthdayUsNews and World Report

• “It's a wonderful story of conservation working, it's a story of people seeing a need and getting behind that to conserve an animal that is specific to North America.” — Gary Staab, Paleoartist

Bronze Bison Statues Unveiled for America's 250th Birthday

• “They really represent a really unbelievably beautiful and unique thing about North America,” — Gary Staab, Paleoartist

America's official mammal, the bison, gets a bronze tribute for the country's 250th birthday