What would you think about an opportunity to meet the Mount Rushmore presidents and have them come to life to tell you about their presidencies?
Since my daughter’s Art History Honors professor thought that was a great idea, she told my daughter to submit a paper about her experience of this artform come to life for one of her course requirements!
Is that a fun assignment or what?
We arrived at the Smithsonian’s American History Museum just in time for the big opening for their inauguration events.
1860s SMITHSONIAN GREETING
The official band of the president was there to open the ceremonies.
Set in the time of President Lincoln, the Marine Corps Band greeted us with the 1860’s version of The Star-Spangled Banner!
Then Mr. Joseph Henry, first secretary of the Smithsonian, hired in 1846, invited us in to discover and learn.
Mr. James Henry, a physicist, who after working on the telegraph and touring European scientific centers along with many other accomplishments, became the first secretary of the Smithsonian in 1846.
His important position strategically set the path for the purpose of the Smithsonian, which he promoted from 1846 to 1878.
MOUNT RUSHMORE PRESIDENTS ASSEMBLE
When we entered, we waved to the Colonial Williamsburg Thomas Jefferson, who came over to say hello!
After chatting a bit we went upstairs while Jefferson awaited the other presidents.
From upstairs we watched the four iconic presidents meet…
Has your imagination ever wondered if those four presidents ever chit chatted from their stony South Dakota precipice after the guests went home?
Well, imagine no more, because here they are chit chatting, while standing in perfect Mount Rushmore order!
This might be might favorite photo of the day, since they were casually chit chatting “behind the scenes” in a manner consistent to the personalities they portray!
What a neat peak! 😉
MOUNT RUSHMORE SPEAKS
After a visit to the First Ladies’ exhibit (separate post for that!!!) and lunch we attended the Mount Rushmore Speaks program.
Mr. James moderated the discussion with the Mount Rushmore presidents under the theme of being inaugurated into their second term of office.
Despite their various backgrounds and range of over 100 years of the presidency, they had many things in common.
Interestingly each of them mentioned that the on-going construction in Washington DC…continuing to this day!
PRESIDENT GEORGE WASHINGTON
The first speaker was President Washington, genteel, yet stoic as ever yet with a bit of humor.
Attending three inaugurations, the first two were his own, which brought massive foreboding, since he never aspired to be president.
Although he was quite prepared to step down after his first term, Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton talked him into staying, saying the country needed him.
While he stayed, Jefferson and Hamilton left…which rather annoyed him.
His favorite inauguration was that of John Adams, which enjoyed with a gleeful gleam that he was leaving.
Alas…Adams reports a horrible foreboding…
PRESIDENT THOMAS JEFFERSON
Next Thomas Jefferson shared that his first run for president ended in defeat when Adams won.
Jefferson won his second bid for office, yet his third bid ended in a tie with his vice-presidential running mate, Aaron Burr.
PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN
Third was President Abraham Lincoln who shared the story how as a young man he said, a nation divided against itself will fall, never imagining it would one day mean his arriving in Washington DC for his inauguration.
He was unable to acquiesce to the demands of the South, since that would mean the split of the Union and continued enslavement of humankind.
He said it is the nature of our government to always have a majority who safely rules the minority.
Someone asked how to convince Congress to balance the budget.
He quipped: Your outcome must not exceed its income, or your uprise will be your downfall.
PRESIDENT THEODORE ROOSEVELT
Then the sanguinely animated President Theodore Roosevelt proclaimed that he had so much fun as president the first term, he thought he’d run for a second term too!
His first term as president began upon President McKinley’s assassination, while Roosevelt was vice-president.
Each of these four presidents had a bit of advice for the next president to take his oath for the second term of office.
While speaking individually, they seemed to be speaking collectively, based on their knowledge of history and experience.
The president should keep the Constitution and follow its diction.
Mr. Roosevelt exclaimed that if he was going to be a president, then TO BE A PRESIDENT! He should not be like the idiots in Congress but BE A PRESIDENT! He should not spend his time on vacation but BE A PRESIDENT!
During the second program my son asked President Roosevelt what he felt his greatest accomplishments were as president.
President Theodore Roosevelt said his greatest accomplishments was the Panama Canal and the Great White Fleet!
RENDERING WITH MOUNT RUSHMORE
After the final program the Mount Rushmore presidents posed for pictures downstairs.
While waiting for all the presidents to arrive, Thomas Jefferson came over to chat and he complimented my son’s question!
Then I told him about my daughter’s Art History Honors assignment to write about them! He liked that!
He suggested that she get a rendering with the Mount Rushmore presidents!
And here they are! A brilliant portrayal of the past from all of them!
While my daughter patiently waited for a chance to slip in for a picture with the presidents due to the pressing crowds cutting in, Jefferson whispered to one of the other presidents to literally pull her in…too funny! They are so great!
1860S INTERVIEWS
In between their programs we enjoyed the Marine Corps band’s music.
My son had an opportunity to chat with them about their authentic Civil War era instruments.
He also asked how he could buy one for himself! They were great to chat with!
Meanwhile my son chatted with Mr. James regarding his work at the Smithsonian.
1833 FIRST PRESIDENTIAL TRAIN RIDE
We also got to visit an 1831 train which President Andrew Jackson rode in 1833, making him the first president to ride a steam train.
At 5:30pm we were ushered out due to an inauguration party there that evening, so we had our own gala of a merry time enjoying the gorgeously lit monuments in the early evening.
