Borglum, Gutzon, 1867-1941

The artist and sculptor Gutzon Borglum tells photographer and filmmaker Edward S. Curtis that he has seen his silent film In the Land of the Head Hunters for the third time. Borglum expresses his gratitude to Curtis for lifting the field of educational entertainment to that of the fine arts. Borglum also discusses the importance of the film medium in capturing “the attention of humanity.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1914-12-15

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-04-03

Creator(s)

Borglum, Gutzon, 1867-1941

Recipient

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Gutzon Borglum does not know the names of all of the directors. C. C. Moore is President of the Exposition Company and is the one to whom to submit matters. Borglum thanks Theodore Roosevelt for his reply.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-11-01

Gutzon Borglum feels he is qualified to serve as director of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition. He asks Theodore Roosevelt for suggestions of what he can do to get the position.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-10-29

Gutzon Borglum thanks Theodore Roosevelt for his speech at the unveiling of Borglum’s bronze statue Seated Lincoln in Newark, New Jersey on May 30th, 1911. He details the already-developing folk lore around the statue, which brings him joy to hear.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-05-31

Gutzon Borglum invites Theodore Roosevelt to present his sculpture of Abraham Lincoln to Mayor Jacob Haussling of Newark, New Jersey, on May 30.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-04-12

Gutzon Borglum, knowing that Theodore Roosevelt is a Freemason, tells him of a planned dinner at his own local lodge and invites him to attend as his guest. He has been delayed in sending Roosevelt the photograph of Abraham Lincoln not because he has forgotten, but because his work has been delayed.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-03-06

Creator(s)

Borglum, Gutzon, 1867-1941

Gutzon Borglum will be casting a statue of Abraham Lincoln for the city of Newark soon, and has been asked by a representative of the town if someone could speak about it. Borglum asks Theodore Roosevelt if he would be willing to give some brief comments about the statue and Borglum’s interpretation of Lincoln. He will send Roosevelt some photographs of the statue.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1910-11-12

President Roosevelt has confidentially told Gutzon Borglum that he will be visiting Mount Rushmore. Borglum plans to officially unveil the “great heads” of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln during the visit. He suggests that Representative Greenway could deliver a speech.

Collection

Arizona Historical Society

Creation Date

1936-07-13

Gutzon Borglum complains of the difficulties besetting the Mount Rushmore National Memorial Commission which have been complicated by the involvement of the National Park Service. Borglum will attend a meeting, organized by Senator Pittman, with President Roosevelt the following week with the goal of resolving the matter.

Collection

Arizona Historical Society

Creation Date

1939-06-01

Gutzon Borglum has received no further word from President Roosevelt, but the rumor is that he will not be visiting Mount Rushmore. Borglum advises Representative Greenway not to make the trip.

Collection

Arizona Historical Society

Creation Date

1936-08-18

President Roosevelt has confirmed that he will be visiting Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Gutzon Borglum would like Representative Greenway to attend.

Collection

Arizona Historical Society

Creation Date

1936-08-11

Gutzon Borglum outlines the original philosophy and purpose behind the selection of the figures for Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

Collection

Arizona Historical Society

Creation Date

1936-05-13

Gutzon Borglum has not heard from Representative Greenway in a long time. He encloses a letter he has written to Eleanor Roosevelt due to Greenway’s position in national affairs and her acquaintance with Roosevelt.

Collection

Arizona Historical Society

Creation Date

1936-05-13

Gutzon Borglum will be publishing another Rushmore magazine for 1936. He would like Representative Greenway to contribute 50 to 200 words in the next 30 days. Borglum praises Greenway, stating that she can understand what it means to visualize Mount Rushmore and put it into words.

Collection

Arizona Historical Society

Creation Date

1936-02-19

Gutzon Borglum reviews the historic items to be inscribed on the west wall of Mount Rushmore. He describes the Mount Rushmore National Committee and its composition. Borglum argues that at least three women should be on the committee.

Collection

Arizona Historical Society

Creation Date

1934-03-15

Gutzon Borglum encloses a letter he wrote to Arno B. Cammerer regarding his pay for the work on Mount Rushmore. The letter is being sent to all the members of the Mount Rushmore National Memorial Commission and Borglum believes that many of them will be shocked by the facts. He intends to finish the monument even without pay. The good work done by Representative Greenway, Representative Werner, and Speaker Rainey ended up losing Werner his seat in Congress. Borglum jokes that he should be allowed to speak more often as he has elected three senators and got rid of four.

Collection

Arizona Historical Society

Creation Date

1937-05-14

Gutzon Borglum outlines the parameters of his original contract, his struggles to amend the contract with the Mount Rushmore National Memorial Commission, and what he feels he should be paid in light of the multiple difficulties that have slowed progress on the monument. In spite of the current situation, Borglum vows that he will continue working on the monument until completion, whether or not he is paid what he believes he is owed.

Collection

Arizona Historical Society

Creation Date

1937-05-07

The head of Thomas Jefferson “in all its essentials” has been completed at Mount Rushmore. The Mount Rushmore National Memorial Commission has been inadequate for several years and, since there is a vacancy, Gutzon Borglum would like the new committee member to represent the Roosevelt administration. He suggests Herman Oliphant or Edward Bruce as potential candidates.

Collection

Arizona Historical Society

Creation Date

1935-11-07

A problem has emerged with the Mount Rushmore National Memorial Commission as explained in the enclosed letter to President Roosevelt. Gutzon Borglum realizes it may be impossible for Representative Greenway to attend the commission meeting but he would like her to be there.

Collection

Arizona Historical Society

Creation Date

1935-11-07