The Promised Land, Bronze sculpture formerly in Chapman Square, Portland, United States

The Promised Land is a bronze sculpture by David Manuel showing a pioneer family: a bearded father pointing with his right hand and holding his wife, who wears a prairie dress and holds a doll, and their son holding a Bible. A wagon wheel and leaning rifle stand behind the father. It measures about 10 by 5.5 by 5.5 feet.

Created by sculptor David Manuel in 1993, the work commemorated the 150th anniversary of the Oregon Trail. It references settlers from 1843 and their journey westward across the continent.

Portland's art commission objected to the piece when it was installed, calling it culturally insensitive and lacking artistic merit, because it celebrated white settlers while excluding other groups present in Oregon. The Oregon Trail Coordinating Council replied that works representing other groups were in progress. The sculpture was removed in 2020 after vandalism during the George Floyd protests.

The sculpture was removed from public display in 2020 and is not permanently available to view in the square. Check current status before planning a visit, as the piece may be in storage or undergoing assessment.

In 2023, the Mellon Foundation awarded funds to Portland and Lewis & Clark College to examine restoration and reconsideration of this and other removed sculptures. The initiative aims to develop thoughtful approaches to the future of contested public art.