We’ve breezed through some of the behind the scenes history of Mount Rushmore National Memorial this summer. The Memorial celebrated its 70^th anniversary this year, and we couldn’t be more proud to have this “Shrine of Democracy” in our great state of South Dakota.

In T.D. Griffith’s “America’s Shrine of Democracy: A Pictorial History,” he described the mission of the National Park Service and goal of administrators atMount Rushmore:
In 1941, Mount Rushmore’s administrative and protective responsibility was assigned to the National Park Service. Since that time, Mount Rushmorehas been managed under the spirit and intent of the original act that established the park service. It remains committed to offering a quality visitor experience through multicultural programs and interpretation while protecting this unique resource that is the combination of natural-forested setting and man-made art. A part of protecting the carving means flirting with danger each fall while inspecting the faces and filling cracks in an effort to preserve the memorial. 

And this fall was no different, crews were again inspecting the carving for cracks and filling any imperfections in order to keep the monument its best for years to come. 

Recently, the National Park Service announced that they have again cancelled the fireworks display at Mount Rushmore for the 2012 Independence Day Celebration. However, even without fireworks the previous two years, the park has continued to put on a great event for visitors. According to Mount Rushmore National Memorial, over 21,000 people visited the Memorial onJuly 3, 2011, exceeding the 2009 and 2010 numbers. The primary reason for canceling the fireworks is still because of the risk of a wildfire breaking out.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial plans to once again hold a July 3 celebration, which will include cultural celebrations of American heritage, education sessions, and patriotism events. Several communities in theBlack Hillswill put on a fantastic display of fireworks for crowds to enjoy on July 4 without being of risk for forest fires.

This is the sixth part in a series of Mount Rushmorehistory posts.  The Mount Rushmore National Memorial Society allowed us to share these great pieces of history about Mount Rushmore National Memorial, visit their website for more information. They can also be found on Facebook by searching for “Mount Rushmore National Memorial Society.”

By the 1980s, the park service was faced with steadily increasing visitation and deteriorating facilities that hampered its ability to tell theMount Rushmorestory. With a growing federal deficit and sorely needed improvements at other park service units, federal funding for major improvements at Mount Rushmorewas highly unlikely.

Consequently, in 1989, the Mount Rushmore Society embarked on one of the most ambitious private-sector initiatives in the history ofAmerica’s national parks. South Dakota Governor George Mickelson issued a $2 million dollar challenge that would be matched by state funds. More than 54 South Dakota communities exceeded that challenge by providing $3.5 million to the Preservation Fund. The nationwide campaign raised $25 million, which spurred $56 million in improvements such as the Amphitheater,Lincoln Borglum Museum,Visitor Center,Information Centerand concession buildings.

The campaign also developed new techniques to preserve and monitor the carving as well as protect the Memorial’s historic artifacts, generated unparalleled media attention forMount Rushmore and resulted in new opportunities for visitors toAmerica’s Shrine of Democracy.

In 1992, initial ground breaking for redevelopment took place, and construction continued on the redevelopment for six years. In 1998, the redevelopment design and construction of the current facilities at Mount Rushmore were completed with no federal tax dollars being used to fund the project. The Preservation Fund goal of $56 million was reached by combining $25 million in private and corporate contributions, $14 million from AmFac Concession investments and $17 million from parking facility investments.
-some of this content was written by Mount Rushmore Society Board Member T.D. Griffith who was the Society’s Director of Communications during the Preservation Campaign in the late 1980s which raised millions for the park’s renovations.

This is the fifth part in a series of Mount Rushmorehistory posts. The four previous posts can be found by following the “Mount Rushmore History” tag. The Mount Rushmore National Memorial Society allowed us to share these great pieces of history about Mount Rushmore National Memorial, visit their website for more information. They can also be found on facebook by searching for “Mount Rushmore National Memorial Society.”