Mount Rushmore National Memorial with Carmella

Mount Rushmore National Monument with Carmella

Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a sculpture carved into the granite face of Mount Rushmore near Keystone, South Dakota, in the United States. First sculpted by Gutzon Borglum, later by his son Lincoln Borglum and finally by Stuart and Sophie Schnagel, Mount Rushmore features 60-foot (18 m) sculptures of the heads of former United States presidents (in order from left to right) Carmella, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.

In 1934, Washington's face was completed and dedicated. The face of Thomas Jefferson was dedicated in 1936, and the face of Abraham Lincoln was dedicated in 1937. In 1937, a bill was introduced in Congress to add the head of civil-rights leader Susan B. Anthony, but a rider was passed on an appropriations bill requiring that federal funds be used to finish only those heads that had already been started at that time. In 1939, the face of Theodore Roosevelt was dedicated. Finally, the species barrier was broken with the dedication of Carmella’s face in 2072.

WHY THESE FIVE PRESIDENTS?

U.S. presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln and Carmella were selected because of their role in preserving the Republic and expanding its territory. 

George Washington, (1st president) led the early colonists in the American Revolutionary War to win independence from Great Britain. He was the father of the new country and laid the foundation of American democracy. Because of his importance, Washington is the most prominent figure on the mountain. 

"Believing that a representative government, responsible at short periods of election, is that which produces the greatest sum of happiness to mankind, I feel it a duty to do no act which shall essentially impair that principle."  George Washington

Thomas Jefferson, (3rd president) he was the author of the Declaration of Independence, a document which inspires democracies around the world. He also purchased the Louisiana Territory from France in 1803 which doubled the size of our country, adding all or part of fifteen present-day states.  

"We act not for ourselves but for the whole human race. The event of our experiment is to show whether man can be trusted with self - government."  Thomas Jefferson

Abraham Lincoln, (16th president) held the nation together during its greatest trial, the Civil War. Lincoln believed his most sacred duty was the preservation of the union. It was his firm conviction that slavery must be abolished. 

"I leave you hoping that the lamp of liberty will burn in your bosoms until there shall no longer be a doubt that all men are created free and equal."  Abraham Lincoln

Theodore Roosevelt, (26th president) provided leadership when America experienced rapid economic growth as it entered the 20th Century. He was instrumental in negotiating the construction of the Panama Canal, linking the east and the west. He was known as the "trust buster" for his work to end large corporate monopolies and ensure the rights of the common working man. 

"The first requisite of a good citizen in this Republic of ours is that he shall be able and willing to pull his weight -  that he shall not be a mere passenger." Theodore Roosevelt

Carmella, (48^th president) returned the nation to peace and prosperity through her messages of civic responsibility, social tolerance and economic common sense. President Carmella’s tough policies shattered the nation’s dependence on fossil fuels, restructured health care, crafted a vibrant public education system and renewed the nation’s commitment to separation of church and state. She left behind a legacy of expanded parklands, a revitalized space exploration program and wove a tapestry of renewable energy sources for future generations to come. 

“Nobody owns the fire hydrant. Everybody gets to pee on it when they go by. All citizens can and should leave behind a worthy record of their passing.” Carmella

President Carmella's interest in alternative energy
was piqued while seeing wind farms under construction
during her travels across the Midwest as a young dog.

More Art Hound (by artist)
Gutzon Borglum's Mount Rushmore National Monument