Located in the Black Hills near Rapid City, South Dakota, Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a designated national monument within the National Park System. The memorial is a magnificently carved granite sculpture as well as an iconic tribute to American leadership, and a visit makes for an impressive introduction to some larger-than-life figures in our nation’s history.

Rushmore History

Rising up nearly 60 feet, the monument was created by Gutzon Borglum and is considered to be the largest stone sculpture in the world. Borglum, the son of a Danish immigrant, had begun a major project involving a stone portrait of Robert E. Lee in Georgia when he was invited to South Dakota to discuss the Mount Rushmore memorial.  

• A family visits Mount Rushmore.
• Vicki Watkins

At Borglum’s direction, 400 workmen began working on the project in 1927. They used massive amounts of dynamite to shape the portraits of four important American presidents—George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt. The workers used a model created by Borglum to carve the details of each face.

Washington, the first portrait begun, took approximately seven years to finish, with construction continuing well into the Great Depression. The likeness of the first president of the United States disproportionately dominates the sculpture, a recognition perhaps befitting a man considered the father of the country. Jefferson was included because of the growth and expansion of America that he oversaw during his presidency, and his portrait was dedicated two years after Washington’s. Lincoln’s carving followed 10 years after the start of the project, his placement owing to his devotion to the nation and his leadership during the Civil War. Theodore Roosevelt had died only eight years before Borglum decided to include him, an honor to Roosevelt’s vision for the United State’s role among world governments. This final section of the monument was dedicated in 1939. 

• The Mount Rushmore Amphitheater.
• Photo by South Dakota Tourism

It took two more years to put the finishing touches on Mount Rushmore. Sadly, Borglum did not live to see the final product—the project was completed a few months after the sculptor’s death in 1941. During the summer months, the Sculptor’s Studio is open for visitors who are interested in learning more about the sculpting of the Memorial. The model used to create it is on display in the Studio.

When to Visit

The Memorial’s museum and Visitor Center are open daily, except Christmas. Mount Rushmore’s scale and location can wow visitors in any season, but summer is probably the best time to visit the Black Hills area with children because this is when the most activities are available. Although the park has shortened visiting hours in the fall and spring, cooler weather and fewer crowds may make a visit during this time more enjoyable, especially for those traveling with older children.

Children’s Programs

If you decide to visit the Memorial during the summer months, allow enough time for your children to participate in the age-appropriate programs arranged by the Park Service. Adults and children can opt to walk the Presidential Trail with a park ranger who will explain the history of each president and the reasons why his portrait is part of the sculpture. Children ages 5 and up also can participate in the interactive, hands-on programs offered in the Sculptor’s Studio during summer months. Ranger Activity Books packed with activities to help children learn about the memorial are available, and those who complete the books are awarded a certificate and may purchase a souvenir patch to commemorate their accomplishment.