Mount Rushmore National Memorial Sculpture of Abraham Lincoln under construction in the 1930s, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, southwestern South Dakota, U.S. (more) How Was Mount Rushmore Built? Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/art/How-Was-Mount-Rushmore-Built Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.
External Websites Ask the Chatbot a Question Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Apr 2, 2025 • Article History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot The idea for what became Mount Rushmore National Memorial was proposed in 1923 by South Dakota state historian Doane Robinson, who wanted to promote tourism. However, it was American sculptor Gutzon Borglum who brought the project to life. Borglum envisioned a grand monument that would symbolize the first 150 years of American history, featuring the faces of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Each president was chosen to represent a key aspect of the country’s development—from its founding, its westward expansion, and its preservation—to its becoming a global power. Borglum’s approach to carving the massive granite ...(100 of 246 words)
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