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What’s The Story: Making Sense of Mt. Rushmore with Matt Davis
October 15 @ 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
The Center for Story @ Shenandoah Speaker Series Continues!
Author Matt Davis discusses his new book “A Biography of a Mountain: The Making and Meaning of Mount Rushmore.” with Sean Murphy, director of the Center for Story @ Shenandoah from 4-5 p.m. Oct. 15 in Hazel-Pruitt Armory, Hub for Innovators, Veterans & Entrepreneurs (HIVE). This timely and illuminating book combines history with reportage, bringing the complicated and nuanced story of Mt. Rushmore to life, from the land’s origins as sacred tribal ground; to the expansion of the American West; to the larger-than-life personality of Gutzon Borglum, the artist who carved the presidential faces into the mountain; and up to the politicized present-day conflict over the site and its future. Exploring issues related to how we memorialize American history, Davis tells an imperative story for our time. This conversation will discuss the deep research involved in this story—and how Mt. Rushmore has always been a sort of metaphor for America at different times, very much including 2025. Matt will also discuss the worlds of academia, writing, and non-profit advocacy, all roles he has played during his multi-faceted career. As always, Q&A will be encouraged, and BTC credits apply.
