2019-12-20 04:50:49
AMERICA’S SHRINE OF DEMOCRACY Gazing over the Black Hills, four U.S. presidents represent hope, determination and the spirit of a nation. A HISTORICAL CHALLENGE Between Oct. 4, 1927, and Oct. 31, 1941, Gutzon Borglum and 400 workers sculpted the colossal faces of U.S. presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln to represent the first 150 years of the great experiment in democracy — America. But Borglum faced monumental obstacles in pursuit of his dream. Harsh winters and inadequate funding often stalled progress. Mount Rushmore National Memorial stands not only as a rock-solid reminder of our national pride, but as a monument to the patriotism and determination of a sculptor and the local crew of miners he guided in carving a mountain into one of the wonders of the world. Borglum’s vision was considered an unrealistic fantasy by many of his contemporaries. But by the time the memorial was completed, the naysayers’ skepticism had been transformed into the wonder and amazement that continues to this day. When first laying eyes on the sculpture, everyone is awed by its size. The faces of the four presidents tower 5,500 feet above sea level and are scaled to men who would stand 465 feet tall. After appreciating the work and ingenuity that went into the sculpture, visitors recognize it as a work of art. Borglum’s artistic genius is apparent in the placement of the faces, as the sun’s passage creates ever-changing shadows that bring mobility and fluidity to the monument. PLAN YOUR VISIT Every year, nearly 3 million visitors travel from around the world to experience the wonder of the mountain carving and immerse themselves in history and the natural surroundings of the Black Hills. In 2020, the memorial will be undergoing some outstanding upgrades that will elevate visitors’ experiences for generations to come. The memorial will remain open to visitors during construction. Read more about the upgrades on Page 36. Find parking readily available in the memorial’s parking complex. Fees apply. The first stop for many visitors is the Information Center, located just inside the entrance. Here, park rangers can answer your questions and you’ll find the scheduled times of special cultural events, educational programs, guided walks and Ranger Talks. Rent the Mount Rushmore Self-Guided Tour: A Living Memorial in the audio tour building, or the information center to hear audio and see pictures and video about the carving. The tour allows you to learn even more about the sculpture and its story. The multilingual tour, available in Spanish, French, German and Lakota, transports you back in time as you learn the inspiring tale through narration, music and interviews. The Junior Ranger Quest is also part of the Mount Rushmore Self-Guided Tour. This new adventure allows kids to participate in up to 16 challenges at different tour stops around the park. Once you complete 12 of the challenges, stop at a ranger desk to receive your Junior Ranger badge. Be sure to visit the newly renovated Sculptor’s Studio. This structure was built in 1939 as a second on-site studio for Borglum. Visit the exact place where Borglum worked from 1939 to 1941 and view the 1/12 scale model of Mount Rushmore. Unique plaster models and worker’s tools used in the sculpting processes are displayed here. During the summer months, rangers present 15-minute talks in the studio, focusing on the workers who helped Borglum create Mount Rushmore and the tools and techniques they used. Be sure to browse the Mount Rushmore Bookstore, located in the studio. The Borglum View Terrace provides excellent views of the sculpture. It’s also the starting point for the 0.6-mile Presidential Trail that takes you up-close and personal with the mountain sculpture. The concrete and plank walkway meanders through the woods and among blast fragments at the base of the monument, offering the closest viewpoints of the faces. The trail is handicap accessible, to the bottom of the monument. Stop by the Lakota, Nakota and Dakota Heritage Village that’s located along the trail to learn about the customs and traditions of the American Indian tribes that are indigenous to the Black Hills. Dine with the presidents at Carvers’ Marketplace, South Dakota’s only 4-star Certified Green Restaurant®. Breakfast, lunch and dinner offer a delicious array of choices, featuring locally grown ingredients. The dress is always casual, the setting always relaxed and the view is, well, monumental. A visit isn’t complete without a scoop of Thomas Jefferson’s ice cream recipe, based on the first written recipe for ice cream in the U.S. Souvenirs, clothing, and Black Hills Gold jewelry can all be found at the Mount Rushmore Gift Shop. LIGHTING CEREMONY The most spectacular program at Mount Rushmore is the Evening Lighting Ceremony. The ceremony is held every evening, May through September, and includes a 10-minute Ranger Talk, followed by the singing of the National Anthem as the sculpture is lit. The flag retreat is performed by military, active duty and veterans. Following the ceremony, large banks of LED lights dramatically illuminate the four presidential faces, stark white against the black, starry South Dakota sky. Those in attendance feel their hearts swell with patriotism and gain a renewed dedication to our nation and its founding principles of democracy, freedom and the pursuit of happiness. The Presidential Trail takes visitors up-close and personal with the mountain sculpture. The trail, with 422 stairs, brings you among the pines, birds, chipmunks and leftover granite from the monument. Each viewing deck along the trail offers its own unique viewpoint of the individual presidents. When you take some time to explore the Presidential Trail and its sights during your visit to the Memorial, you’ll likely come across one of the ranger programs. The Park rangers give daily, scheduled presentations on the history of the monument, the surrounding wildlife, Lakota heritage and more. The programs last from 10 to 30 minutes, are free and require no reservation.
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