Examining the Gradual Erosion of Mount Rushmore’s Exterior
Gutzon Borglum, an American sculptor known for his monumental works, played a pivotal role in the creation of Mount Rushmore, a colossal sculpture carved into the granite face of the Black Hills in South Dakota. Born to Danish immigrants in 1867, Borglum’s artistic journey was marked by ambition and controversy.
On May 31, 1932, Borglum, alongside a superintendent, inspected the ongoing work on George Washington’s face at Mount Rushmore. This grand project, which depicted the faces of four U.S. presidents—George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln—was designed to symbolize the nation’s birth, growth, development, and preservation.
Despite the grandeur of Mount Rushmore, Borglum’s past and personal views have been subject to scrutiny. Known for his association with the Ku Klux Klan and his involvement in the Confederate monument Stone Mountain in Georgia, Borglum’s legacy is complex and controversial. His vision for Mount Rushmore extended beyond the sculptures to a “Hall of Records” behind the presidents, intended to house significant American documents and artifacts.
Mount Rushmore itself is a subject of contention, particularly from the perspective of the Lakota Sioux, for whom the Black Hills are sacred. Known to them as Tȟuŋkášila Šákpe or Six Grandfathers, the site was seized from the Lakota in violation of treaties, adding to the ongoing narrative of Native American dispossession.
In recent years, Mount Rushmore has become a focal point in discussions about American identity and history. In his 2020 Independence Day speech at the site, President Donald Trump emphasized the monument’s permanence amidst national debates on racial injustice and historical monuments. This context inspired author Matthew Davis to explore Mount Rushmore’s history and significance in his book “A Biography of a Mountain,” which delves into the intertwined histories of the monument, the land, and its people.
Through interviews and narratives, Davis sheds light on the monument’s hidden histories, including the impact of Native American boarding schools and the perspectives of the Lakota people. His work underscores the complex legacy of Mount Rushmore, revealing the diverse stories and emotions it evokes.
Today, Mount Rushmore stands as both a symbol of American identity and a reminder of the nation’s complex history. It invites ongoing dialogue about historical memory, cultural heritage, and the narratives that shape our understanding of the past. As discussions continue, the voices of those connected to the land, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, remain integral to the ongoing conversation about this iconic American landmark.