AnirudhaGutzon Borglum’s Secret Addition
As the project was falling behind due to the funding shortage, the then United States government authorized Gutzon Borglum’s addition on which he was working. So, in the years 1938 and 1939, a 70-foot tunnel that went behind Abraham Lincoln’s head was added after the project ended. This tunnel which Borglum explained, would work as the entrance for “The Hall of Records at Mount Rushmore.”
Plan Behind The Tunnel
You may ask, what was the plan behind this tunnel? Let me tell you, this tunnel was going to be 20 feet high and 14 feet wide with doors that opened 80-by-100 foot chamber and an eagle statue with a 38-foot wingspan that was to be kept on the top of the entrance and not only this the eagle would have an inscription that read,“America’s Onward March” and “Hall of Records.” This chamber would hold onto United State’s most important documents and the Constitution and Declaration of Independence documents that define the entire history of the United States and were supposed to be kept in bronze and glass cabinets. But there are times when your dreams that are about to be accomplished remain mere dreams.
A Dream That Didn’t Come True
Gutzon wanted this Hall of Records to serve as a time capsule. He had this idea of making this room as the place where future generations will come to learn and experience the history of the United States and everything that it has achieved. But sadly, in the year 1994, he passed away before the monument could be finished. Later, his son Lincoln took his role and completed the remaining work of the site.
Son Takes Over
After Borglum’s death and due to America’s role in WWII the construction of the Hall of Records came to halt. But, the construction of the monument was in full swing. For many years, the hall remained untouched and its presence felt purposeless. Later, few people came together and decided to honor Borglum for his work. They wanted to pay their respect and celebrate his legacy for the work that has done for the country.
Adding Susan B. Anthony?
In 1937, the Congress passed the new bill that asked earnestly for adding Susan B. Anthony to the monumental sculpture. But this bill did not bear any fruit as the funding was limited and adding a new face would have cost them time and more money which they didn’t have. In the end, she was not added to Mount Rushmore but, to honor her, the government decided to print her face on a coin and she became the first woman ever placed on a U.S. currency.
No New Faces. Period.
Looking at the funding, the bill was passed where it clearly stated that the funds must be used for the completion of the faces that are already in construction and no new faces will be added as that was not the plan. Although adding Anthony with the other four faces would have been a very celebrated face due to her achievements in women’s suffrage movement. Once the construction was fully done no one came forward to plead for her and the dream was lost somewhere.