Mount Rushmore Presidents
Mount Rushmore was the dream of sculpture Gutzon Borglum. He wanted to build a shrine to democracy and a majestic memorial to the birth, growth and democratic ideals of the United States. In Borglum's mind the four Presidents which he selected to carve out of the mountain of granite and stone symbolize America's history of perseverance and accomplishments.
The four Presidents that Borglum selected were George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Borglum felt that these four were the best to represent the first 150 years of American history. As the father of our country, Washington was selected. Washington also represented the fight for independence, the constitution and our lasting freedom. Jefferson was chosen because he was the author of the Declaration of Independence which led to government by representation. Jefferson was also responsible for the expansion of the United States by orchestrating the Louisiana Purchase. Teddy Roosevelt was chosen because Borglum felt that he was responsible for connecting the waters of the East and the West, by seeing through the completion of the Panama Canal. Selected for preserving the Union of the United States through the Civil War and for his representation of freedom and equality for all, Lincoln was the final choice.
Standing and gazing upon these massive representations of four of the most respected leaders of our country, gives the visitor reason to pause and remember what the United States is all about. All four were definitely great men who accomplished much in the formation of this country. This sculpture really does portray them as larger than life, because if the faces were applied to scale, the height of the people that they represent would be 465 feet.
John Gutzon Borglum stated, "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"
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