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In the Moment
In the Moment tells true stories of our state and true stories of people who are doing something or creating something for a reason. We tell these stories with fairness, compassion and imagination through podcasts, news stories, and more.

Rethinking Rushmore: Book explores the meaning of a national memorial

The cover of the book "A Biography of a Mountain" shows a black-and-white aerial image of Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Lori Walsh
/
SDPB
"A Biography of a Mountain" by Matthew Davis

More than two million visitors flock to the Mount Rushmore National Memorial each year. But America's understanding of the mountain and its iconic sculptures has shifted over time.

Author Matthew Davis was inspired by President Donald Trump's 2020 speech at the memorial to reconsider matters of history, art, democracy and American patriotism.

Davis wrote "A Biography of a Mountain: The Making and Meaning of Mount Rushmore." He returned to South Dakota for the book's launch and joined SDPB's Lori Walsh for a conversation.

Lori Walsh is a special correspondent with SDPB and host of the "In the Moment" podcast.