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Mount Rushmore National Memorial

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Mount Rushmore National Memorial

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j
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
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Mount Rushmore National Memorial

Mt. Rushmore stands as a shrine of democracy, a monument and


memorial to this country's birth, growth and ideals.
Mount Rushmore symbolizes the greatness of this
nation through the greatness of it leaders. The epic
sculpture of Mount Rushmore depicts the faces of
four exalted American presidents that symbolize
this nations rich history, rugged determination and
lasting achievements.

Between 1927 and 1941, Gutzon Borglum and


400 workers sculpted the 60-foot busts of
Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson,
Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln to represent the first 150
years of American history. Washington was selected for Mount Rushmore
because he was the father of our country and
represents our struggle for independence, our
constitution and our liberty. Jefferson was to be
honored on Mt. Rushmore as the author of the
Declaration of Independence, representative
government and for the expansion of our country
through the Louisiana Purchase. Teddy Roosevelt,
the third bust on Mount Rushmore was selected
because he saw through the completion of the
Panama Canal linking the oceans and opening the
connecting waters of the East and the West. Lincoln was chosen for
preserving the Union through one of America's darkest hours and for the
ideals of freedom and equality for all.

In the words of Mount Rushmore's creator, John Gutzon Borglum,


"Hence, let us place there, carved high, as close to heaven as we can,
the works of our leaders, their faces, to show posterity
what manner of men they were. Then breathe a prayer
that these records will endure until the wind and the
rain alone shall wear them away"

Mount Rushmore Memorial is located in the Black


Hills of South Dakota, 23 miles from Rapid City. The
memorial serves as home to many animals and plants
representative of the Black Hills of South Dakota. The
geologic formations of the heart of the Black Hills
region are also evident at Mount Rushmore, including
large outcrops of granite and mica schist.

Rushmore Facts:
Sculptor Gutzon Borglum began drilling into the 5,725-foot mountain in
1927, at the age of 60.
Creation of the Shrine of Democracy took 14 years and cost a mere $1
million.
Rushmore's granite faces tower 5,500 feet above sea level.
The carvings on Mount Rushmore are scaled to men who would stand
465 feet tall.
Each head on Mt. Rushmore is as tall as a six-story building.
More that 800 million pounds of stone were removed from Mount
Rushmore while carving the presidents.
Each president's face is as tall as the entire Great Sphinx of Egypt,
measuring 60 feet from the chin to the top of the head.
The president's noses are 20 feet long, each mouth 18 feet wide and the
The president's noses are 20 feet long, each mouth 18 feet wide and the
eyes are 11 feet across.
The workers had to climb 506 steps daily to get to the top of Mount
Rushmore.

In 1998, Mount Rushmore National Memorial celebrated the


completion of a 10 year, multi-million dollar public-private partnership
project to improve the visitor facilities at the memorial. The project
includes a much larger parking facility and the new Lincoln Borglum
Museum which features an orientation film and lots of excellent exhibits.

The Avenue of Flags leads from the Concession Building to the


Grandview Terrace. The flags of the 56 states and
territories line either side of the walkway. The
avenue provides direct and easy access to the
Grandview Terrace and Presidential Trail, a half-mile
walking trail that offers spectacular views of the
mountain sculpture.

The memorial offers interpretive programs,


exhibits and an orientation film, while Rangers
provide interpretive walks and talks, including the
Evening Sculpture Lighting Ceremony. The lighting
program takes place at approximately 9 p.m. nightly (May-September) in
the park's amphitheater. The amphitheater is fully accessible via the
Avenue of Flags to elevators at the museum.

Recommended Mount Rushmore Activities/Features


Stroll the Avenue of Flags, where each state is represented.
View the Mount Rushmore carving from Grand View Terrace.
View Mt. Rushmore's new state of the art Visitor Center and Museum
including an orientation film on the presidents and the Rushmore
carving.
Walk the Presidential Trail which offers the closest viewpoints of the Mt.
Rushmore faces.
View the evening lighting ceremony held in the amphitheater at 9:00 PM
nightly.
Shop for local arts and crafts, such as Black Hills Gold jewelry, in the
5,300 square foot Mount Rushmore gift shop.
Eat at the snack shop or dine in Mount Rushmore's Buffalo Dining Room,
known for its buffalo stew and world famous strawberry pie.
View the Sculptor's Studio and put yourself in the artist's perspective
and view the mountain sculpture and the original model of the carving.

Other programs being offered include guided walks to the Sculptor's


Studio, Presidential Trail walks, talks on the Grandview Terrace,
afternoon children's activities and studio talks. Please check at the park's
Visitor Center or call the park at (605) 574-2523 for times of these
activities.

Home Hours Fees Directions Weather Scenic Drives


SD Web Traveler, Inc.
P. O. Box 2541
Rapid City, SD 57709

Send mail to: [email protected]


with questions or comments.
Copyright © 2001-2006 JnM Design
Last modified: December 6, 2005

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