2017-01-14 04:35:28
AMERICA’S SHRINE OF DEMOCRACY There are many ways to draw inspiration from one of the nation’s most consequential and enduring symbols—Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Mount Rushmore National Memorial A HISTORIC CHALLENGE Between October 4, 1927, and October 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 that is America. But Borglum faced monumental obstacles in pursuit of his dream. Harsh winters and inadequate funding often stalled progress. In fact, Mount Rushmore stands not only as a rock-solid reminder of our national pride, but as a monument to the patriotism and stubborn determination of a sculptor and the local crew of miners he guided in carving a mountain into one of the wonders of the world. As is often the case, Borglum’s vision was considered an unrealistic fantasy by many of his contemporaries. Although the original concept of a large sculpture came from the well-respected SD State Historian Doane Robinson in 1923, when Borglum announced plans a few years later to actually begin the monument, the local citizens were not particularly supportive. But by the time the monument was completed, the naysayers’ skepticism had been transformed into the wonder and amazement that continues to this day. At first, everyone is awed by the size of the sculpture. The faces of the four presidents tower 5,500 feet above sea level and are scaled to men who would stand 465 feet tall. Next, visitors see 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. Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center PLAN YOUR VISIT Today’s visitors come away with a patriotic appreciation as well as a thorough understanding of the monument from its “nuts and bolts” construction methods to its iconic place in America’s heritage. After parking your vehicle (parking fee applies), stop by the Information Center to check out times of special cultural events, educational programs, guided walks and Ranger Talks available during your visit. Be sure to spend some time in the Mount Rushmore Bookstore before you venture out. The Mount Rushmore Audio Tour is also available for rent in the audio tour building during the summer season and the Information Center during the off-season. Step outside and stroll the Avenue of Flags, where it’s fun to take a photo of your state’s flag. Next, view the sculpture on the Grand View Terrace. Elevators and staircases on either side of the terrace lead down to the Lincoln Borglum Museum & Visitor Center as well as the Amphitheater and another bookstore. In the Visitor Center, an orientation film is available which describes the history of the carving, the carving process, and why Borglum chose the four presidents on display. Exhibits that feature the carving process, the workers, and the history of the park are also on display. Beautiful forest surroundings welcome visitors along the Presidential Trail, which offers the closest viewpoints of the faces as the concrete and plank walkway loops through the woods and among the blast fragments at the base of the monument. While on the trail, you can stop by the Lakota, Nakota & Dakota Heritage Village to learn about the culture of the American Indians, indigenous to the Black Hills. Then be sure to venture to the Sculptor’s Studio, where Borglum’s original models of the four presidents, scaled on a 1:12 ratio (one model inch equals one foot on the mountain) are on display. Developing an appetite while you stroll around the memorial? Carvers Café, with seating for 300, offers visitors a delicious array of food selections, served with a commanding view of the presidential sculptures. And don’t leave without sampling some of Thomas Jefferson’s famous vanilla ice cream recipe! LIGHTING CEREMONY By far, the most spectacular program at Mount Rushmore National Memorial is the Evening Lighting Ceremony, held in the Amphitheater at 9 p.m. sharp during the summer season. A ranger will introduce a 20- minute movie about Mount Rushmore. Then, with the tune of the “Star Spangled Banner” in the background, huge banks of floodlights will dramatically reveal the four presidential faces, stark white against the black, starry South Dakota sky. That’s when hearts swell with patriotism—and a renewed dedication to our nation and its founding principles of democracy, freedom, and the pursuit of happiness.
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