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This is our Legacy.

Annual Report • 2019

This is . Preserve. Promote. Educate. Protect. Message A Legacy from the Board & CEO of Support

Everybody needs beauty We celebrate 90 years of supporting the greatest as well as bread, places symbol of our democracy and one of the wonders to play in and pray in, of the world, Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Together, with our (NPS) where nature may heal partners, we work together to ensure that the legacy of and give strength to body Mount Rushmore is preserved for future generations. and soul.” Thanks to your unwavering support,the Mount —John Muir, 1912 Rushmore Society is committed to ensuring that those who visit Mount Rushmore are forever changed by the ’s beauty, the awe-inspiring story of its creation and the important ideals that it represents. Examples of our impact (from sculpture preservation Our Mission to providing seasonal interpretive rangers) are The Mount Rushmore detailed throughout this annual report. Society is dedicated to the preservation, promotion At this time, this country is facing a great, historic and enhancement of challenge as a pandemic has gripped and rocked Mount Rushmore National Memorial and the values it the world. During this unprecedented time, Mount represents Rushmore’s steadfast presence will continue. through a partnership When you need a calming image, picture our most with the famous four Presidents, stoic in , facing National Park countless adversities. When we all pull together, we Service. can weather any storm — and emerge renewed. This is our legacy.

Kay & Diana, Kay Jorgensen, President Diana Nielsen Saathoff, CEO

mountrushmoresociety.com 3 Our With your support, we have made a significant impact.

Impact NPS rangers provided 22 talks per day in the Sculptor’s Studio during the height of the 2019 summer season. 28,000 New Junior Rangers

Thousands of children learned about the historical and cultural significance of Mount Rushmore by completing the Junior Ranger program. They filled out Junior Ranger booklets (for ages 5-12) and/or Rushmore Ranger booklets (ages 13+) provided by the Society. Those that completed the program also received a badge made possible by the Society. Presidential re-enactor Gib Young portrayed President Teddy Roosevelt daily during the summer season. New in 2019: 127 children took part in Junior Ranger Quest, an online version of the Junior 1,063 Ranger program. The game is accessible through the multimedia Educational Daily Park Mount Rushmore Self-Guided Presidential Upgrades Tour or downloading for free on Programs the Apple Store or Google Play. Programs Annually, the park needs upgrades Seasonal interpretive rangers and to equipment and supplies to stay interns funded by the Society gave President (a.k.a. up-to-date. Some of the smaller 22 talks per day in the Sculptor’s Gib Young) patrolled the park, projects made possible by funds 6 Studio during the peak season. giving scheduled and impromptu from the Society in 2019 include: presentations to guests throughout Seasonal These programs were attended by the summer. • Video player in Visitor Center 205,369 visitors overall and gave • Park-wide public address Rangers information about sculptor Gutzon Ranger Daryl gave cultural system 152 Borglum, the workers, carving presentations at the Lakota, Nakota • Atomic clock for Sculptor’s techniques and more. 81 Studio Hours of Employed & Dakota Village tipi located near the Borglum View Terrace. • Signage School • Promotional and orientation Continuing Much to the general public’s publications surprise, salaries for seasonal Programs New in 2019: The family of Daryl Education interpretive rangers are NOT 31 Red Cloud painted the tipi below Society funds supported The Society offices in Rapid provided by the federal government with traditional Lakota symbols. School Bus ranger presentations at City provide complimentary but by the Society. If not for your schools in the greater space for continuing support, rangers responsible for Scholarships area. Due to this education for our NPS presenting programs and providing Did you program, more than 3,083 partners, as well as national visitor services would not be in our Elementary, high school, tribal students were served. know? and regional agencies and park. schools, camps and college school It took 14 years to carve cooperating association/ Through the Mount Rushmore groups were able to visit the Mount Rushmore from friends group partners. Bookstores’ Scholarship Program, park due to our Bus Scholarship 1927-1941. More than 200 park partners you funded four interns to assist program. Normally, buses are were able to participate in rangers in providing visitor charged $50 to park, but this critical training. services. These interns get program allows them access to the experience working in a national park for free to attend ranger-led park to shape their future careers. programs.

4 Mount Rushmore Society Annual Report 2019 mountrushmoresociety.com 5 Our Operations New in 2019: the Sculptor’s Studio Bookstore. Mount Rushmore Memories Airport Store

With passenger loads on the rise and a continued effort to bring in a quality product mix representative of the Black Hills, sales at this store increased by more than 29% over 2018.

Mount Self- Rushmore Guided Room Memories Tours Rentals With the new building in downtown Store on Developed by the Society for Rapid City, the Society began renting the NPS, the national award- facilities to outside individuals and Main St winning Mount Rushmore Mount businesses for seminars, parties, Self-Guided Tours offer two trainings, receptions and more! Rushmore Mount Rushmore Memories on options. One is an audio Main Street opened in May of tour wand, and the other is Some of the businesses and Bookstores 2019. More than 1,000 people a multimedia device which organizations who have rented walked into the shop and inquired allows the listener to access facilities include: about all that the Black Hills has audio, pictures, video and The beautifully redesigned to offer. the Junior Ranger Quest • Black Hills Networking Sculptor’s Studio Bookstore (below) game. International re-opened for business in summer Plans are to “up the game” with • Security First Bank of 2019. This store, along with the our product mix in 2020, to draw The multimedia unit won • Dacotah Bank Information Center Bookstore, even more visitors and locals in to first place (for digital media) • Farmers Union Insurance served as the primary outlets for promote what the Society does for in both the • SDSM&T Foundation educational books and products. the park. Public Lands • Gunderson Palmer Law Firm These stores helped our visibility, Alliance • Volunteers of America as the store in the Borglum Partnership • YMCA Museum & Visitor Center was Awards and • Children’s Therapy Services closed due to construction. the National • Lynn Jackson Shultz & Lebrun Association Law Firm for Interpretive Media • Rapid City Education Association Awards. • Project Solutions Did you • Questers During construction, the know? self-guided tours gave THANK YOU! Mount Rushmore was visitors an individual experience to learn about named after a New York the history of the park. City attorney named Rentals were up 24% Charles Rushmore. overall in 2019. Mount Rushmore Memories on Main.

6 Mount Rushmore Society Annual Report 2019 mountrushmoresociety.com 7 In 2019, we promoted the values of Community Mount Rushmore in the community through the following activities.

Outreach Acting Superintendent Denice Swanke and President Theodore Roosevelt at the 2019 Find Your Park Festival. 3rd Annual Find Your Park Festival

Hundreds of locals and visitors attended the Third Annual Find Your Park Festival June 8, 2019, at Main Street Square in Rapid City. Twenty-three vendors representing regional national parks, forests and other outdoor-related organizations took part.

The Society celebrated President George ’s Birthday in our Event Area with a class of pre-schoolers 300+ Beautification from the YMCA in Rapid City. They were even able to meet President Washington! Attend Award Presidents’ Bus to the Capitol Chamber The Rapid City Chamber of Commerce presented the Society Day Mixer with the May Beautification Award. The Society celebrated President To officially kick-off opening Mount ’s Birthday with Rushmore Memories on Main a class of 25 pre-schoolers from the Street and introduce ourselves to YMCA in Rapid City. downtown Rapid City, the Society hosted the May Rapid City Chamber Mount Rushmore rangers led the Mixer in which approximately 300 children in making crafts, reading a community leaders visited the book on President Washington and facility. B2B Mixer sharing in birthday cupcakes. As an added surprise, the kids were able to This group of fun ladies traveled to Pierre to view exhibits on the & Lincoln “meet” President Washington and wish 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment at the him a happy birthday. Historical Museum. They also experienced Christmas at the Capitol. Jewel Cave We celebrated President ’s birthday 200th Mile at the 2019 Chamber’s “Make a Good Gift Business 2 Business Mixer, Celebration providing opportunities for Great” Seminar community leaders to take The Society supported regional pictures with the partners by participating mascot. at the Jewel Cave 200th Mile Celebration & Reunion June 28-30. Cavers and locals came Our friends at Black Hills Did you Badlands Association attended out to celebrate Jewel Cave and know? the Rapid City Chamber Mixer. neighboring public lands. , not , had the original idea for a carving in the Black Pat Goetzinger of Gunderson Palmer Law Firm presented tips on Hills. charitable giving to a group of Society supporters and friends.

8 Mount Rushmore Society Annual Report 2019 mountrushmoresociety.com 9 The Society received a $100,000 grant toward the Our Monumental Movie Campaign from Supporters Black Hills Energy.

The Mount Rushmore Society’s impact would not be possible without the generous support of members, donors and friends. The list below is comprised of those who have given $100 or more in donations, sponsorships, membership fees, event fees and gifts-in-kind to advance the work of the Society in 2019. All of this support enables the Society to provide funds to support park projects that are over and above Mount Rushmore’s baseline operations. Your generosity makes our work possible, and we thank you.

First Western Federal Savings Bank Tom and Pam Fritz Freedom Aaron and Dawn Galloway Belynda Goodman Eric Gardner Richard and Nancy Gowen Society Great Western Bank Cristi Gower Brian Hagg Jim and Connie Green $50,000-$99,000 Kay Jorgensen Lee and Jodi Groskopf Friends Andrew and Barbara Knight Gunderson, Palmer, and Ashmore, LLP Phil Lampert Angela Hanson Black Hills Corporation of the Faces Awards National Park Foundation Roger and Chris Heacock Marc and Stephanie Pariza Jennifer Henrie Independence Eileen Rossow Larry Jacobs During our 2019 Spring Celebration, Superintendent Cheryl John and Kay Rozell George Jenter Schreier was presented with the Individual Friend of the Faces Society Matt Sleep Carol Johnson Award for her contributions to Mount Rushmore during her tenure Lloyd and Jan Sohl Leroy and Jody Ketel at the park from 2010-2019. She retired in May, 2019. Visit Rapid City Wayne and Kelly Klein $10,000-$24,999 West River Monument Mark and Suzanne Lackermayer Pat and Mariruth Wittkamp Michelle Lavallee Ainsworth Benning Construction was presented the Corporate Bruce and Roxann Basham Xanterra Parks and Resorts Gene and Pat Lebrun Friend of the Faces Award for their commitment and expertise First Interstate Bank John Livermore in completing the reconstruction of our building at 830 Main Lisa Lien Clay Locke Street. Will McElroy (left) and Corey Hegge (right) of Ainsworth Maureen McGee-Ballinger Benning accepted the award. $500-$999 Jim and Claudia McHale Patriot’s Charles and Vicki McLain LaVonne Ackerman Connie Meier Society Dr. Robert and Judy Allen Mark and Carolyn Mollers An Evening with President Carol Cameron Lt. Colonel Dan and Justine Monken $5,000-$9,999 Kent and Chris Christopherson Mount Rushmore Lodge 220 Anthony and Brenda Cleberg AM&FM & First Lady Abigail Adams Robert and Sharon Dominicak James Nelson Dacotah Bank Ellen Heston Rollie and Peg Noem David and Deanna Emery The First Lady joined our presidential re-enactor this year, and it Richard Hoeye Pioneer Bank and Trust Sandra Gorman was a hit! On the day before the annual fundraising dinner, Abigail Thomas Prochaska Doug and Marnie Herrmann Adams was featured at the inaugural First Ladies Luncheon LIV Hospitality Jerry Riggs held at the Society offices for 30 attendees. John Adams gave a Tim and Karen Raben Warren Robinson presentation at Westhills Village for 50 attendees. Both appeared Vacation Races $100-$499 Diana Saathoff during An Evening with President John Adams & First Lady Abigail Adams on October 5 at Mount Rushmore. They entertained the Carol Bancroft Ruth Samuelsen Jeff Beck Dr. Ernest and Linda Schabauer audience about the founding of our country from a “his and her” $1,000- Pete Bergman Jody and Trudy Severson perspective. Overall, this event raised more than $28,000 for the Black Hills and Badlands Tourism Craig and Janet Shaefer Monumental Movie Campaign. We thank the following sponsors $4,999 Association Barbara Smith who helped make the event a success. Black Hills Bagels Randy and Marcia Taylor John and Linda Boland Sateera Thompsen Presidential Sponsors Stanford and Lynda Clarke Adelstein Greg Thompson James and Cathy Bouck Glorianne Davis | Stan Adelstein & Lynda Clark Robert and Judy Antior Stephen Thompson Black Hills Community Bank Lois Catrucci Visit Rapid City | The Farmhouse Bistro & Bar Roger Cedarblade Matt Tranquill Gary and Gloria Brown Roger Volentine Xanterra Parks & Resorts | Haggerty’s Musicworks Cathleen Christopherson Custer Historical Society Black Hills Community Bank | Simpsons Printing Gloria Del Bianco Jill Wells Edward Corwin and Toni Logar Westhills Village First Interstate Wealth Management Bob and Bev Curtis Lou Del Bianco Amelita Depaola Karen Whitehead West River Monument | Eric Gardner Earl Davis Terry Whiting Kim Hanley of American Historical Glorianne Davis William and Judy Duhamel Friends Sponsors Theatre portrayed Abigail Adams along Encore Hospitality LLC Larry Ebbert side Joe Doyle as John Adams during Jack and Carol Eugster Richard and Donna Fisher Bob & Bev Curtis | Brian Hagg the Society’s annual Presidential Dinner. First Interstate Wealth Management Eileen Fleishacker

10 Mount Rushmore Society Annual Report 2019 mountrushmoresociety.com 11 Construction Looking Update North

A 600-day construction project Ahead Approximately 2,000 visitors attend the Evening Lighting Ceremony PHASE 1 Presidential Trail each night during the summer season. This program includes a consisting of three phases began ranger presentation, a flag-folding demonstration and movie. The July, 2019. The first phase included Monumental Movie Campaign is raising funds to replace the movie currently shown at the park upgrading the park’s walkways, COVID-19 Borglum View during the Evening Lighting repairing water intrusion at the Terrace Ceremony. Museum & Visitor Sculptor’s Update Center and expanding the Avenue Studio (as of 4/30/2020) of Flags. Certain areas of the park Youth Exploration Area Lakota, Nakota & Dakota Village were closed and remain inaccessible To 385 Life at the Society changed as we Hill City, during phase one. PHASE 2 Gift knew it in March of 2020 with the & Custer Carvers’ Shop COVID-19 pandemic that continues Cafe & Even with setbacks related to Ice Cream to sweep through our country and 244 PHASE 3 COVID-19, plans are still in the Self-Guided Tours the world. Restrooms Information Center works to complete phase one Nature Trail by June 2020. At that time, the We stand with our partners in To 16 A Keystone & Evening Lighting Ceremony should 244 the National Park Service as they Pet 1 6 Rapid City reconvene. We hope to have our Exercise make tough decisions during this Area Mount Rushmore Bookstore reopen crisis to prioritize the health and in the Lincoln Borglum Visitor safety of staff and visitors. At this Center in time for the summer time, Mount Rushmore National season. Pets on a leash and smoking are Memorial remains open for viewing allowed only in the orange shaded the sculpture. Parking in the ramp area. The second phase, which will repair is available, however all park the walkway in front of the Gift visitor and administrative facilities Shop and Carvers Cafe, is set to are closed, as well as our Society begin late summer or fall. Bookstores. The restaurant and gift shop are also closed. Phase three of construction will July 3, 2020 repair the walkway from the Gift In addition, Mount Rushmore Shop and Carvers Cafe to the The NPS recently announced the return of Independence Day Memories Airport Store and Mount Information Center. These last Fireworks to Mount Rushmore National Memorial on July 3, 2020, Rushmore Memories on Main is Monumental Movie phases should be complete by 2021. after an 11-year absence. Following an Environmental Assessment closed for the time being. Campaign (EA) conducted earlier this year, the NPS issued a Finding of Updates to construction timing No Significant Impact (FONSI) allowing the Independence Day The dedicated team at the Mount and which areas of the park are fireworks celebration to be permitted based on the recommended Rushmore Society is working While times are uncertain, our commitment to ensuring that accessible may be found at www. alternative, which protects the memorial, the environment and remotely on behalf of our mission Mount Rushmore National Memorial has the necessary resources nps.gov/moru or by calling the park visitors. to preserve and protect Mount to provide an excellent visitor experience is not. We continue to Ranger Desk at 605-574-3198. We Rushmore. While following social raise funds to provide two new movies for the Memorial: One to be The event will be held subject to appropriate weather, security, will keep you updated as we know distancing and COVID-19 protocols, shown nightly during the Evening Lighting Ceremony through the wildland fire conditions, and in accordance with the President’s more. the staff continues to work together summer season, and one that will be shown daily in the Lincoln Opening Up America Again guidelines. The public’s health and collaboratively and creatively Borglum Museum & Visitor Center. safety is of utmost importance, and therefore conditions in the to pursue the good work of the permit issued to the state will allow for modifications to the event This effort has been positively received by supporters near and organization. in accordance with all national, state and local health and safety far. It is our hope to have the funding for the Evening Lighting guidelines. Ceremony movie completed soon so that production can With the continued strong support commence and be available when construction is complete. This of our donors, the Mount Rushmore We stand ready to assist with this program, as defined by the new movie will be seen by more than 170,000 people each summer Society will endure to protect National Park Service and the South Dakota ’s Office. and have a significant impact to their visitor experience. and preserve the legacy of Mount For updates, please see www.nps.gov/moru for news releases and Rushmore for future generations as alerts regarding this event. we have for the last 90 years. Did you know? It cost $989,992.32 to carve Mount Rushmore. Visitors still have great views of the carving throughout Phase I of construction in the park.

12 Mount Rushmore Society Annual Report 2019 mountrushmoresociety.com 13 2019Revenue and Expenses Financials 2019 Our Partnership

RevenueRevenue and Expenses 2019 Society Receives the National Park Net Investment Return 2,665,786.00 Service Partnership Award Net Educational and Product Sales 953,120.00 UnrestrictionNet Investment Contributions Return and Other Revenue 2,665,786.00 82,500.00 TotalNet Educational Revenue and Product Sales 3,701,406.00 953,120.00 Unrestriction Contributions and Other Revenue 82,500.00 Total Revenue 3,701,406.00 ExpensesRetail 827,961.00 Direct Support to the Memorial 200,000.00 IndirectRetail Support of Mission and Programming 396,681.00827,961.00 GeneralDirect Support and Fundraising to the Memorial Expenses 508,552.00200,000.00 Indirect Support of Mission and Programming 1,933,194.00 396,681.00 General and Fundraising Expenses 508,552.00 Overall Operations, Net Increase 1,768,212.001,933,194.00

RestrictedOverall Operations, Contributions Net Increase 1,768,212.00 206,880.00

IncreaseRestricted in Contributions Net Assets 1,975,092.00 206,880.00

Increase in Net Assets 1,975,092.00

Superintendent Cheryl Schreier, who retired in 2019, presented the Mount Rushmore Society with the National Park Service Partnership Award as one of her last duties. The Society was awarded this honor for service to the NPS in continuing the Monumental Movie Campaign with the goal of securing $2 million to upgrade the movies and equipment at the park.

Pictured above are: Director of Philanthropy Stephanie Pariza; NPS Partnership Director Randy Carroll; Schreier; President Kay Jorgensen; CEO Diana Saathoff; and Membership & Donor Stewardship Coordinator Patty Neumiller.

This is Our Legacy. This is Mount Rushmore. Preserve. Promote. Educate. Protect.

Complete copies of the Society’s audited financial statements and notes for 2019 are available upon request by calling CEO Diana Saathoff at 605-341-8883.

14 Mount Rushmore Society Annual Report 2019 mountrushmoresociety.com 15 with no federal tax dollars being used to fund the outdoor-related organizations provide activities and project. The Preservation Fund goal of $56 million information about their organization. was reached by combining $25 million in private and 2017 90 Years in Review corporate contributions, $14 million from AmFac Thanks to the generous gift from Sharon & Jim Concession investments and $17 million from the Weinel of Cannon Falls, MN, in 2015 to the Mount 1930 1989 parking facility investments. Rushmore Society, $200,000 was donated to the NPS Incorporated as a nonprofit corporation in the District Under the leadership of Carolyn Mollers and Ray The first Independence Day fireworks display took place to rehabilitate the Blackberry Trail for hiking and of Columbia on February 24, the Mount Rushmore Aldrich, the Society began a nationwide campaign at Mount Rushmore and became a national event. equestrian use. The trail can be accessed south of the National Memorial Society (Society) of the Black Hills called the Mount Rushmore Preservation Fund led by Mount Rushmore parking garage. assumed the responsibility of soliciting private funds Al Neuharth. South Dakota Governor George Mickelson Spearheaded by Mary Ellis Borglum Vhay, the Hall of and providing citizens the opportunity to be involved issued a $2 million challenge that would be matched by Records was completed with funds raised by the Society. In May, South Dakota tourism partners, Society in the Memorial. state funds. More than 54 South Dakota communities 2000 members and NPS representatives gathered to exceeded that challenge by providing $3.5 million to the The Society was integral in managing the School The Society and State of South Dakota funded a movie recognize Jonah Leroy “Doane” Robinson, first Preservation Fund. Ultimately, the campaign raised $25 Children’s Fund in October, 1930 in which every child for the Evening Lighting Ceremony: the award-winning secretary of South Dakota’s State Historical Society million and saw a total of $56 million in improvements was encouraged to make a free will offering to Mount film Freedom: America’s Lasting Legacy. The Evening (SDSHS) from 1901 to 1926, as “The Father of Mount at Mount Rushmore. Rushmore. A total of $1,707.80 was collected. Lighting Program became the largest attended evening Rushmore.” An official SDSHS roadside marker 1990 program in the park service. 1933 honoring Robinson was dedicated, thanks to a The Society funded RE/SPEC to conduct a The Memorial became part of the National Park Service 2004 donation by Jerry Klinger of the Jewish American 10-component structural study of the sculpture. This (NPS) system, and the partnership between the NPS The Bookstores opened its second retail location in Historical Society. study is used for the rock block monitoring system for and the Society officially began. the park. Award-winning original publications were 2018 the carving. produced, and annual sales totaled over $1 million for 1940s The Bookstores added a multimedia unit to the Mount the first time. Total amount of aid-to-the park funds The Society operated the binoculars concessions at the 1991 Rushmore Self-Guided Tours. Radio City Music Hall Productions produced a Golden provided to the NPS by the association reached $1 park through the Tower Optical Company, raising funds Anniversary event at Mount Rushmore. President million. for park needs. The Society donated the last installment of five George H. Bush formally dedicated the Memorial at the Through funding from the Society and the hard work $100,000 gifts to the NPS to be used specifically for 1941 celebrations. of the NPS, lighting was added to the Avenue of Flags, sculpture preservation at the Memorial. The funds The Society became the first concessionaire at Mount The Society produced the official presentation cover for becoming the second most photographed spot at the were a result of an initial $214,000 bequest from Rushmore which was operated by C.C. Gideon for many the 29-cent Flag Over Mount Rushmore stamp. Memorial. the Betty Nelson, Yankton, SD, estate. The Society years. Through profits obtained from the concessions, contributed an additional $200,000 and managed the the Society supplied funds for construction and With support from South Dakota’s congressional 2005 fund for its ultimate donation to the NPS. improvements at Mount Rushmore until 1968. members, including Representative Tim Johnson, The Bookstores produced the Mount Rushmore Audio Senator Larry Pressler and Senator Tom Daschle, a Tour and opened a third seasonal bookstore in the 1954 The Society embarked on the $2 million Monumental coin bill passed Congress. The Treasury Sculptor’s Studio. The tour went on to win the 2008 Plans began for improvements and additions to roads, Movie Campaign to update the two movies shown at minted a three-coin commemorative set. A portion National Park Service Director’s Award. parking and facilities within the Memorial. These plans the park: one to be shown during the nightly Evening of the sales of these coins was allocated to the were a part of the bigger NPS to improve The Society funded and provided event support Lighting Ceremony during the summer season and one Preservation Fund, providing over $6 million in funding facilities within national parks. Work on the approach to U.S. immigration officials for the return of the to be shown daily in the Lincoln Borglum Museum & for the redevelopment. road from Keystone, the visitor center, amphitheater, Naturalization Ceremony held at Mount Rushmore. Visitor Center.. Sales of the book, America’s Shrine of Democracy concessions dormitory and concessions buildings took 2007 2019 by author Tom Griffith, and other commemorative place between 1954 and 1956. In 1963, the Visitor The Society moved administrative offices into First The Society moved into its first permanent location products generated further revenue and attention for Center opened to the public. Interstate Bank on Eglin St. at 830 Main Street, Rapid City, and Mount Rushmore the campaign. Memories on Main Gift Shop was opened. Facilities 1967 2013 Society sponsored the lighting of the Mount Rushmore were made available for rent to the business The Society fulfilled its contract in full with the United The Society opened Mount Rushmore Memories Gift States government by repaying $750,358 to Congress Christmas tree for the first time. community and provided as a service free of charge to Shop in Hill City, offering a wide-range of books, home our public lands partners. for appropriations that had been made for development 1992 decor and gifts. The store closed in 2015. in the 1950s. The initial groundbreaking for the redevelopment took 2015 The Society was awarded the National Park Service place and construction continued on the redevelopment 1968 The Society won the 5-year contract for operating Partnership Award. for six years. The NPS transferred concession operations from the Mount Rushmore Memories Airport Store at Rapid City Society to a private party. The Society continued to 1993 Regional Airport. benefit from the concessions, but in a lesser amount, The Society formed a cooperating association 2016 until 1974. now known as the Mount Rushmore Bookstores The Youth Exploration Area, a kid-friendly space where The Society continued to provide modest support (Bookstores). A bookstore opened, and products were rangers provide educational programs, opened at the to the Memorial for programs, minor needs and selected and created to educate visitors and provide park. Funds for this $325,000 project were raised by the administration between the years of 1968 and 1987. interpretive tools to tell the story of Mount Rushmore. Society through corporate and individual giving. 1980s 1995 The park conducted a general management plan In May, the Society was awarded the National Park In an effort to preserve and maintain the green space that determined the need for enlarged and improved Partnership Leadership Award. bordering Mount Rushmore National Memorial, visitor facilities. Designs and planning began for total 1997 the Society purchased a little over 15 acres near the redevelopment of visitor facilities at the Memorial. The Society obtained private financing of $17 intersection of Hwy 244 and 16A in Keystone, SD. 1986 million in order to build a parking facility when The Society officially ended its 20-year concessions The Society produced The Shrine video viewed in the federal appropriations were unavailable. The Society contract with the NPS for the financing, operation and Lincoln Borglum Museum & Visitor Center daily on a contracted with Bob Mudlin of Presidential Parking, maintenance of the Mount Rushmore parking facility. It continuous loop. Inc., to operate the new parking concession operation. was turned over to the NPS debt free. 1988 Dedication of the largest amphitheater in the National Tom Griffith became the first executive director and Park Service took place July 15. South Dakota native Al The Society celebrated the 75th anniversary of the the first paid staff of the Society. Neuharth and the Freedom Forum board contributed $1 completion of Mount Rushmore with a nationwide million to the Amphitheater which seats 2,000 people. The Society moved into the Norwest Bank building, campaign and a variety of events and products. downtown Rapid City. 1998 One of the ongoing events is the annual Find Your The redevelopment design and construction of the Park Festival, a free event for the public. Vendors current facilities at Mount Rushmore were completed representing regional public lands partners and

16 Mount Rushmore Society Annual Report 2019 mountrushmoresociety.com 17 Our Team Staff

Diana Nielsen Saathoff, CEO Shannon Anderson, Accountant Kathy Hackett, Accountant Deb Hanna, Retail Manager Matea Hunsaker, Retail Supervisor Cindy Mayes, Special Projects Coordinator Patty Neumiller, Member & Donor Coordinator Stephanie Pariza, Director of Philanthropy Anna Raue, Director of Retail Debbie Ketel Speas, COO Marilyn Schwaner, Administrative Assistant Sandra Weaver, Director of Finance Board of Directors

Kay Jorgensen, President Tim Raben, Past President Aaron Galloway, Vice President Anthony Cleberg, Treasurer This publication is dedicated to the memory Jeffrey Connolly, Secretary of Donald “Nick” Clifford who passed away Roxann Basham in 2019 at the age of 98. He was the last living Gary Brown worker on Mount Rushmore. Nick, with his wife Carolyn by his side, devoted his later Michael Diedrich years to interacting and educating thousands Brian Hagg of visitors annually about Mount Rushmore. Marnie Herrmann Dr. Antonette Logar mountrushmoresociety.com Rollie Noem Mount Rushmore Society: Eileen Rossow 830 Main Street | Rapid City, SD 57701 John Rozell 605-341-8883 Lloyd Sohl [email protected] Mount Rushmore Bookstores: Emeritus Directors Mount Rushmore National Memorial Judy Duhamel [email protected] Leroy Ketel Mount Rushmore Memories Airport Store: Rapid City Regional Airport | 605-791-6868 Andy Knight [email protected] Gene Lebrun Dr. Sidney Goss

Tom Griffith Phil Lampert Ruth Samuselsen

18 Mount Rushmore Society Annual Report 2019 mountrushmoresociety.com 19