What's Your Big Thing?

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again Rapid City is filled with history. Every once in a while, I get a chance to learn a little bit more about the history of this area, and I am always astounded by how rich and inspiring it is. One of the best places to showcase this history is The Journey Museum & Learning Center. 

 

Since we are celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Completion of Mount Rushmore The Journey decided to create an exhibit just for the occasion. I was lucky enough to attend the grand opening of the “Journey to Mount Rushmore” and left with a new respect for the monument and the men that built it. 

After a great reception, the National Park Service lit the exhibit, and we were all invited to walk around and read about the hard work that went into the carving. The carving of Mount Rushmore is only a sliver of the history behind the monument, though. 

The Journey did an amazing job of sharing who Gutzon Borglum was and what it would have been like to work with him. They featured old carving tools and pieces of honeycombed granite from the carving and even showed how dangerous it was carving with their climber on a single leather swing. All around the room, I found old postcards, letters about the monument, and in the center a scale model. 

The exhibit explained how each president was selected and why. I thought it was cool that Borglum knew Theodore Roosevelt and admired him which is why he was selected for the monument. Each president was carefully selected and approved by President Franklin Roosevelt before construction even began. 

 

The Journey Museum creates amazing exhibits about our area, and the information that is shared is unforgettable. The “Journey to Mount Rushmore” is just one example of the amazing information the museum shares with the public. 

 

When you #VisitRapidCity this summer make sure you stop at the Journey and experience the history and culture of the community. Don’t forget to share your experience with @VisitRapidCity!