Kindergarden Read - Aloud

Presidents and American Symbols: Supplemental Guide 9A | Carving Mount Rushmore 147

But not everyone thought the idea to carve a giant monument in

the mountains of South Dakota was a good one. For many, many

years, different Native American tribes lived on the land around

Mount Rushmore. Many Native Americans, including the Lakota

Sioux, believed the area of the Black Hills was sacred—or holy—land.

Because it was sacred, they thought it should be treated with respect

and honor. They did not think it was right that their sacred land was

first taken away from them years earlier. And now, they did not believe

that a monument should be carved into the mountain.

 Show image 9A-3: The Black Hills and Borglum

Even though the Native Americans did not want them to carve the

mountain, Robinson and the senator continued with their plans to do

it. They needed someone to carve the mountain, and they found the

perfect man to carve Mount Rushmore: Gutzon Borglum (GUHT-son

BAWR-glum).

Gutzon Borglum was a well-known American sculptor. A sculptor

is someone who creates a work of art by carving or molding clay or

stone. Borglum created many statues of important people in history,

including a statue of Abraham Lincoln.

 Show image 9A-5: Borglum’s suggestion

Gutzon Borglum came to South Dakota to see the mountains for

himself. He liked the idea of carving a huge statue into the Black Hills.

“To attract people from all over America,” said the sculptor, “we

should carve statues of people who are well-known across the whole

country—not just in South Dakota.”

Robinson and the senator liked Borglum’s idea. Borglum suggested

four important presidents in American history: Presidents Washington,

Jefferson, Lincoln, and Roosevelt.

Why do you think he chose George Washington?

• George Washington was the first U.S. president.
  Why do you think he chose Thomas Jefferson?


• Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence.
  Why do you think he chose Abraham Lincoln?


• Abraham Lincoln declared that slavery was illegal and freed the enslaved
  people.