Greetings from Mount Rushmore National Memorial

The western end of South Dakota will always hold a special place in my heart. For as long as I can remember, my family made an annual pilgrimage to those welcoming, beautiful Black Hills. As I grew up, I began to cherish those trips more and more. I was able to fully understand and grasp the significance of both the places and history, but also the fact that they (Black Hills National Forest, Badlands National Park, and Mount Rushmore National Memorial) had been set aside for us. For my family. For me. For my future family.

Now I’m grown up and have a family of my own. My husband I were married in the Black Hills and we try to continue the annual pilgrimage. I can’t describe how special it is to see my 2 year old son discover these wonderful places for the first time.

My son refers to Mount Rushmore as “my mountain.” And he’s right, it is his mountain. It’s each of ours. It’s our job to cherish and protect these areas for future generations. I want my son to be able to watch the wonder on his children’s faces one day as they are introduced to these places that will always be a second home to me.

Sincerely,
Katie

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

This colossal sculpture showcases the iconic faces of four former U.S. presidents intricately carved into a mountain in South Dakota's Black Hills. The 60-foot-tall profiles of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln were intended to represent the first 150 years of America's history and cultural heritage.

State(s): South Dakota

Established: 1925

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“ It's our job to cherish and protect these areas for future generations. I want my son to be able to watch the wonder on his children's faces one day as they are introduced to these places that will always be a second home to me.”

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