{"id":2646087,"date":"2026-08-17T14:12:02","date_gmt":"2026-08-17T18:12:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/federal-agency-dismisses-art-damage-concerns-for-dc-grand-prix\/"},"modified":"2026-08-17T14:15:09","modified_gmt":"2026-08-17T18:15:09","slug":"federal-agency-dismisses-art-damage-concerns-for-dc-grand-prix","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/federal-agency-dismisses-art-damage-concerns-for-dc-grand-prix\/","title":{"rendered":"Federal agency dismisses art damage concerns for DC Grand Prix"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ffederal-agency-dismisses-art-damage-concerns-for-dc-grand-prix%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2646087&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The Trump governance assured that historic artworks stored in a government building in Washington, D.C., would not be at risk during the upcoming Freedom 250 grand Prix race, despite concerns from preservationists. Critics, including the Living new Deal, raised alarms about potential damage to Depression-era murals and artworks housed in the Wilbur J. Cohen building, fearing vibrations from the IndyCar race could harm fragile pieces. The General Services Administration (GSA) evaluated the route and found no issues, but preservation advocates criticized this assessment as reckless, emphasizing the fragility and historical importance of the murals and exterior panels by New Deal artists Henry Kreis and Emma Davis. Concerns also extend to the National gallery of Art,wich has implemented precautions following vibration studies,although specifics remain undisclosed. The race, part of president Donald Trump\u2019s initiative to celebrate the U.S.250th anniversary, will feature IndyCar races through downtown D.C. over the weekend, attracting large crowds and boosting local economy, with hopes to promote tourism and business during the summer.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/trump-administration\/\"> Trump administration<\/a> said there is \u201cno concern\u201d that historic art stored in a government building in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/washington-dc\/\">Washington, D.C.<\/a>, could be damaged during Freedom 250\u2019s Grand Prix race in the city. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/gsa\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"3463\">General Services Administration<\/a> weighed in on fears brought by a preservationist group that Great Depression-era murals and other artistic treasures at the Wilbur J. Cohen Building could be damaged by vibrations from IndyCar drivers racing around the National Mall during the Aug. 22-23 event.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/entertainment\/4689947\/concern-art-damage-dc-indycar-race-wilbur-j-cohen-building\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Federal agency dismisses concerns about possible art damage in DC\u2019s IndyCar race<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/entertainment\/4689710\/hayden-panettiere-dead-36\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Hayden Panettiere, Heroes and Nashville star, dead at 36<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/entertainment\/4689337\/nancy-mace-new-tattoo-pain\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Nancy Mace shows off new tattoos giving her \u2018the pain that I need to feel\u2019<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After receiving a letter outlining concerns from the Living New Deal, the GSA, which <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/chat-records-reveal-epic-meltdown-in-federal-agency-after-trump-win\/\" title=\"Chat Records Reveal Epic Meltdown In Federal Agency After Trump Win\">manages federal property<\/a>, said it reviewed the proposed route \u201cfor potential impact on our nearby assets and identified no areas of concern.\u201d <\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cLike millions of other Americans, we fully support the patriotic celebrations happening in our nation\u2019s capital, including the Freedom 250 Grand Prix,\u201d a GSA spokesperson told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Assistant director of Living New Deal Mary Okin called the administration\u2019s stance \u201c<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/wtop.com\/dc\/2026\/08\/preservationists-raise-concerns-about-freedom-250-grand-prixs-damage-on-historic-murals\/\">foolish and reckless<\/a>\u201d in comments to WTOP. Okin\u2019s statement came after she wrote<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/livingnewdeal.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Living-New-Deal-Urgent-Section-106-Request-Freedom-250-Grand-Prix-Permitting.pdf\"> a letter<\/a> to GSA warning that the building\u2019s facade, featuring exterior panels by New Deal artists Henry Kreis and Emma Davis, could also be damaged should a racing vehicle lose control, spark a fire, or send debris such as tire marbles flying. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe government has done quite a lot to look after them. They\u2019ve been conserved, and in fact, that\u2019s why we know that they are so fragile,\u201d she told the outlet. \u201cGiven how important these artworks are, there should be all kinds of protections taken, and also a case made that this race should not happen here.\u201d <\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThese are artworks that celebrate American prosperity and American financial security as a result of Social Security and the New Deal more broadly, which was designed to help ordinary families recover from the Great Depression,\u201d Okin added. \u201cI don\u2019t think a race like this would ever happen under other administrations, because it\u2019s just foolish and reckless.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Cohen building isn\u2019t the only structure housing precious art that has come under scrutiny ahead of the IndyCar race. Preservationists also have concerns that thunderous vibrations could damage items at the National Gallery of Art during the event. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">National Gallery of Art spokesman Chris Abanavas said earlier this month that the institution <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/entertainment\/4678782\/indycar-vibrations-art-national-gallery-freedom-250\/\">conducted a vibration study<\/a>, and now plans to implement \u201ca set of measures to ensure the safety of our staff, visitors, collection and facilities.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhile we are not releasing the specifics, I can share that any such measures are only being taken out of an abundance of caution,\u201d Abanavas said, adding that protective coverings on several displays at the gallery will be removed later in the summer.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The historic race is being spearheaded by Freedom 250, a public-private partnership spearheaded by President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"4\">Donald Trump<\/a> to celebrate the United States\u2019s <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/america-250\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"20120\">250th anniversary<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It will take place Saturday and Sunday, featuring IndyCars racing down the streets of D.C. in a 1.7-mile, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Freedom250GP\/status\/2031041566865793535\">seven-turn course<\/a> around the U.S. Capitol, the Washington Monument, the Smithsonian\u2019s National Air and Space Museum, the National Gallery of Art, and other landmarks. <\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/sports\/4662048\/dc-prepares-freedom-250-grand-prix-what-to-know\/\"><strong>DOWNTOWN DC PREPARES FOR FREEDOM 250 GRAND PRIX: WHAT TO KNOW<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Event organizers say the Grand Prix will cost around $35 million, with between 120,000 and 130,000 people expected each day of the race weekend, after 288,000 applied for free tickets.\u00a0Mayor <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/muriel-bowser\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"2963\">Muriel Bowser<\/a> and Monumental Sports &#038; Entertainment, which is working with IndyCar to promote the race, have hailed it as a lucrative economic opportunity for D.C. during the slow summer months.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAn event like this happening in August in Washington, D.C., is perfect because it\u2019s in the middle of summer, [offers] great <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sportsbusinessjournal.com\/Articles\/2026\/08\/17\/indycar-drives-into-dc-spotlight-with-freedom-250-grand-prix\/\">tourism opportunities<\/a>, and helps the hotel businesses and restaurant businesses,\u201d Jim Van Stone, MSE\u2019s president of business operations, told <em>Sports Business Journal<\/em>. \u201cBeing a part of this for us was really a no-brainer.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>GSA dismisses concerns over art damage during D.C. IndyCar race<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3142,"featured_media":2646088,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Screenshot-2026-07-02-at-3.30.33-PM-e1786988888167.png?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[84288,84290,84289,78663,59718],"class_list":["post-2646087","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-art-damage","tag-cultural-preservation","tag-dc-grand-prix","tag-event-safety","tag-federal-agency"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Screenshot-2026-07-02-at-3.30.33-PM-e1786988888167.png?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2646087","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3142"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2646087"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2646087\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2646091,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2646087\/revisions\/2646091"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2646088"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2646087"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2646087"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2646087"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}