Faces On Mount Rushmore

Introduction to Mount Rushmore

Mount Rushmore, located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, is one of the most iconic landmarks in the United States. The monument features four gigantic sculptures of the faces of prominent American presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. These faces were carved into the granite face of the mountain over a period of 14 years, from 1927 to 1941, by a team of sculptors led by Gutzon Borglum. The monument is not only a masterpiece of art but also a symbol of American history and democracy.

The Faces on Mount Rushmore

The faces on Mount Rushmore are massive, with each face measuring about 60 feet tall. The sculptures are so detailed that they include the presidents’ facial expressions, hair, and even their clothing. The faces are arranged in a specific order, with George Washington on the far left, followed by Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln on the far right. The selection of these four presidents was based on their significant contributions to American history and the principles of liberty and democracy.

George Washington

George Washington, the first president of the United States, is featured on the far left of the monument. He was chosen for his role as the leader of the American Revolution and the first president of the United States. Washington’s face is depicted with a serious expression, reflecting his strong leadership and integrity. His face is also adorned with a few strands of hair, which were sculpted to give a sense of movement and texture.

Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States, is featured on the left of the monument, next to George Washington. He was chosen for his role as the principal author of the Declaration of Independence and his commitment to individual liberties. Jefferson’s face is depicted with a more relaxed expression, reflecting his philosophical and intellectual nature. His face is also sculpted with a few wrinkles, which give a sense of age and wisdom.

Theodore Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States, is featured on the right of the monument, next to Abraham Lincoln. He was chosen for his role as a trust-buster and his commitment to conservation and the environment. Roosevelt’s face is depicted with a strong and energetic expression, reflecting his dynamic personality and leadership style. His face is also sculpted with a few facial hairs, which give a sense of ruggedness and masculinity.

Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, is featured on the far right of the monument. He was chosen for his role as the leader of the Union during the Civil War and his commitment to ending slavery. Lincoln’s face is depicted with a compassionate and empathetic expression, reflecting his strong sense of morality and justice. His face is also sculpted with a few deep wrinkles, which give a sense of age and wisdom.

Construction of Mount Rushmore

The construction of Mount Rushmore was a complex and challenging process that took 14 years to complete. The project was conceived by a South Dakota state historian named Doane Robinson, who wanted to create a monument that would attract tourists to the Black Hills. The project was initially intended to feature the faces of famous Western figures, such as Buffalo Bill Cody and General George Armstrong Custer, but it was later changed to feature the faces of the four presidents. The construction of the monument was supervised by Gutzon Borglum, a Danish-American sculptor who had previously worked on several other large-scale sculptures.

Interesting Facts About Mount Rushmore

Here are some interesting facts about Mount Rushmore: * The monument is made of granite, which is one of the hardest rocks in the world. * The faces on the monument are so detailed that they include the presidents’ facial expressions, hair, and even their clothing. * The construction of the monument took 14 years to complete and cost $984,000. * The monument is not just a work of art, but also a symbol of American history and democracy. * The monument attracts over 2 million visitors each year, making it one of the most popular tourist attractions in the United States.

👍 Note: The construction of Mount Rushmore was a complex and challenging process that required the use of dynamite, jackhammers, and chisels to carve the faces into the granite rock.

Preservation and Maintenance of Mount Rushmore

Mount Rushmore is a national monument and is preserved and maintained by the National Park Service. The monument is protected from erosion and weathering by a combination of natural and artificial means. The granite rock is resistant to weathering, but it is still subject to erosion from wind, water, and ice. The National Park Service uses a variety of techniques to preserve and maintain the monument, including cleaning, consolidation, and protection from vandalism.

President	Term	Contribution
George Washington	1789-1797	Leader of the American Revolution and first president of the United States
Thomas Jefferson	1801-1809	Principal author of the Declaration of Independence and third president of the United States
Theodore Roosevelt	1901-1909	Trust-buster and 26th president of the United States
Abraham Lincoln	1861-1865	Leader of the Union during the Civil War and 16th president of the United States

In summary, Mount Rushmore is a unique and fascinating monument that features the faces of four prominent American presidents. The monument is not only a masterpiece of art but also a symbol of American history and democracy. The construction of the monument was a complex and challenging process that took 14 years to complete, and it is now preserved and maintained by the National Park Service. The monument attracts over 2 million visitors each year, making it one of the most popular tourist attractions in the United States.