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Tiny Trains, Mighty Landmarks: A Botanical Journey
22 Jun
Summary
- Iconic landmarks are meticulously recreated using natural materials.
- The exhibit features 10 trains and over 850 feet of track.
- Local salvaged wood from ice storms finds new life in structures.
An extraordinary art installation, "America the Beautiful: National Parks & Landmarks By Rail," is currently captivating visitors at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens. This unique exhibit meticulously recreates twenty-five iconic American landmarks, from the Golden Gate Bridge to Graceland, using natural and foraged materials. The display, which opened on May 2, 2026, is enhanced by ten running trains navigating over 850 feet of track.
Applied Imagination, a botanical architecture firm, spent countless hours handcrafting these detailed models, with each element like shingles or support structures fashioned from pinecone scales, leaves, or repurposed wood. This project was commissioned by Cheekwood to celebrate America's 250th anniversary in 2026. A particularly poignant detail is the use of wood salvaged from local trees downed by recent ice storms, giving these natural elements a second life within the exhibit.
The exhibit will remain at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens until September 6, 2026. Following its run in Tennessee, "America the Beautiful: National Parks & Landmarks By Rail" is scheduled to move to Washington, D.C., offering a new audience the chance to explore these national treasures through a stunning blend of nature and miniature engineering.
