Plans Approved To Erect Statue Of George H.W. Bush In Greenwich

GREENWICH, CT — After a lengthy process, plans to erect a statue to honor former town resident and President George H.W. Bush have been unanimously approved by the Greenwich Planning & Zoning Commission.

The proposal underwent several modifications since it was first announced in 2024, including during the most recent P&Z meeting on Dec. 9.

Previous plans called for the statue to be erected just off the sidewalk at 290 Greenwich Ave., the address for the historic Havemeyer Building which houses the Greenwich Board of Education.

Commissioners had concerns about an overcrowding situation at that location, as there are existing monuments in the area that's known as Veterans Plaza Park.

Commissioner Dennis Yeskey asked Camillo if he had looked at other locations in town for a Bush statue, and Camillo was steadfast that Veterans Plaza Park made the most sense.

"This is Veterans Plaza Park. It screams out for this statue to be here. Putting it in Bruce Park or Byram Park, or Town Hall, it doesn't make sense," Camillo said.

Following a recommendation from Commissioner Nick Macri, the statue will now be erected further up in the park area where an existing planted circle is directly in front of the Havemeyer Building.

First Selectman Fred Camillo, who has spearheaded the initiative, and landscape architect John Conte III agreed with Macri's suggestion.

Macri said the new location gives the statue "a real sense of place in the park."

"Anyone walking by will be cognizant of [the statue]. I don't believe it would actually detract anything from the building itself. In fact, it may inform the building because it's part of that courtyard in front. But it's still visible, it's still in the park, and it actually physically will fit," Macri said.

Conte noted several changes during the Dec. 9 meeting that were made to the proposal since the last time it came before the commission in October.

The overall height of the monument was reduced from 10 feet 8 inches to 8 feet 6 inches, while the statue of Bush was increased from 6 feet 8 inches to 7 feet 4 inches.

A plinth, which is a heavy base that supports a statue, was removed from the proposal.

Additionally, lighting was reduced to include two "accent" lights to the left and right of the statue.

Macri said the lighting would enhance the historic Havemeyer Building at night.

"I think actually having this statue lit the way, it actually may even give it a little bit of a bright spot at night in this park. I think passing by as people do, going out on the town, having this lit up like that actually might be quite dramatic. I think it could be quite successful," Macri said.

The town would also explore providing light to a nearby flagpole. Dogwood trees were previously proposed at the former location. P&Z Chairwoman Margarita Alban said trees for the new spot will be selected with sign-off from Tree Warden Dr. Gregory Kramer.

Bush spent his formative years in Greenwich when his father, Prescott Bush, was a U.S. Senator from Connecticut.

He attended Greenwich Country Day School, and also met his wife of 73 years, the late Barbara Bush, at a dance in town.

When Bush turned 18, he enlisted in the Navy and eventually flew 58 combat missions during World War II, his official White House biography says.

During one mission over the Pacific Ocean, Bush was shot down by Japanese anti-aircraft fire and he was rescued from the water by a U.S. submarine, according to his bio. Bush was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for bravery in action.

Bush served as the CIA director, ambassador to the United Nations and vice president before he was elected as the 41st president of the United States in 1988. He lost a re-election bid in 1992 to Bill Clinton.

Bush died on Nov. 30, 2018, at the age of 94.

Camillo said he has a donor lined up for the statue. Greenwich resident and former state Sen. L. Scott Frantz last year offered to cover the cost for the statue.

According to submitted documents, there would be a donor-provided fund to cover maintenance, avoiding unforeseen costs for the town. Community and veterans' groups may also support upkeep, the documents say.

A sculptor for the statue has not yet been chosen.