Patriot Plaza at Sarasota National Cemetery

Over the past decade, Patriot Plaza has welcomed more than 73,000 visitors (including thousands of students) who have come to Sarasota National Cemetery to honor veterans and their family members and to experience the beauty of this outdoor museum that inspires an appreciation for the sacrifices made to protect and promote our democracy. 

Located within the heart of Sarasota’s National Cemetery, which is four miles east of I-75 on State Road 72, Patriot Plaza is the first ever project of its complexity to be a collaboration between the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs and a privately funded philanthropy. The Patterson Foundation, based in Sarasota, conceived, funded, designed, built, and continues to maintain Patriot Plaza, investing over $12 million, and counting! 

Home to a 2,800-seat amphitheater, a rostrum capable of presenting a 55-piece orchestra, a 20,800-square-foot glass covering, and an 80-foot flagpole for the proud display of Old Glory, Patriot Plaza is an ideal location for patriotic concerts and ceremonies. 

The mission of Patriot Plaza is to honor veterans, inspire patriotism, and embrace freedom. These values are exemplified by six large art installations created by four internationally recognized artists: 

• Testimonies, by Larry Kirkland, features 16 white marble tablets displaying quotes, engravings, and photographs, which are presented in “rooms” that allow the visitor to contemplate the experiences of military service members and their families.
• Witness to Mission, by Larry Kirkland and Kenny Irby, features 22 white marble plinths displaying 49 historic photographs from the Civil War to 2012 that capture moments in time and allow the viewer to bear witness to war and other aspects of military life.
• Night to Day, Here and Away, by Ellen Driscoll, features a 50-foot glass mosaic mural that adorns the rostrum depicting earth, air, and water; the mosaic is replicated onto two 20-foot spires set within mosaic carpets.
• Guardian Eagles, by Pablo Eduardo, features two bronze stately eagles at one entrance that stand as sentries on guard to welcome and protect visitors.
• Home, by Ann Hirsch, features two bronze nesting eagles at the other entrance that explores the family and home from which children eventually leave to serve in the military.
• Star Projection Map, fabricated by Creative Edge Master Shop, is a historic map of the earth in sandblasted granite that conveys a unifying view of the world without borders and shows the reach of the United States military. 

The overall design and impressive art installations, placed within the powerful and humbling setting of a national cemetery, make Patriot Plaza a welcoming and fitting space to reflect on and honor the sacrifices made by veterans and their family members in service of our country. 

Patriot Plaza is free and open daily from sunrise to sunset (except on Federal holidays). Patriot Plaza Guides are trained in collaboration with the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County.  

Schedule Tour

Private Adult Group and School Tours are available all days of the week (Monday-Friday) and mornings/ afternoons are available for private group and school tours, except for holidays and Tuesday mornings. Learn more about School Tours >>

Virtual Tour

The Patterson Foundation has partnered with The Collaboratory at Ringling College of Art and Design to create an opportunity for Florida middle school civics classes, as well as the public to experience Patriot Plaza virtually.  

The initial focus for the Patriot Plaza virtual tour is 8th grade civics classes whose normal curriculum would include an in person visit to Patriot Plaza. Through the EdExploreSRQ experiential learning platform, which was created with support from The Patterson Foundation, Sarasota County School classrooms have access to unique, immersive experiences and field trips, including this virtual tour. 

This virtual tour will allow students and the public the ability to tour Patriot Plaza and experience the art and architecture that honors our veterans and their families.