
Borglum's Sculpting Technique
Clip: Season 14 Episode 4 | 2m 22s
Borglum built a studio size model of Mt. Rushmore and then enlarged it to scale.
After his workers had blasted off the surface rock of the mountain, Gutzon Borglum spent days and nights watching how the light and shadow landed on the mountain. This process ultimately made him decide to deviate from the original plan and shift 20 degrees. Borglum built a studio size model of Mount Rushmore and proceeded to enlarge the measurements on a scale to sculpt the mountain itself.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Corporate sponsorship for American Experience is provided by Liberty Mutual Insurance and Carlisle Companies. Major funding by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

Borglum's Sculpting Technique
Clip: Season 14 Episode 4 | 2m 22s
After his workers had blasted off the surface rock of the mountain, Gutzon Borglum spent days and nights watching how the light and shadow landed on the mountain. This process ultimately made him decide to deviate from the original plan and shift 20 degrees. Borglum built a studio size model of Mount Rushmore and proceeded to enlarge the measurements on a scale to sculpt the mountain itself.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
How to Watch American Experience
American Experience is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.

When is a photo an act of resistance?
For families that just decades earlier were torn apart by chattel slavery, being photographed together was proof of their resilience.Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipClip: S14 Ep4 | 46s | Gutzon Borglum and his team of workers were aware that there would be challenges to face. (46s)
Clip: S14 Ep4 | 11m 25s | The story behind the world's largest sculpture and the shrine of democracy. (11m 25s)
Preview: S14 Ep4 | 30s | The story behind the world's largest sculpture and the shrine of democracy. (30s)
Clip: S14 Ep4 | 1m 3s | Mount Rushmore is the biggest monument on the face of the earth. (1m 3s)
Clip: S14 Ep4 | 40s | Gutzon Borglum used a concoction of materials to fill in the cracks in Jefferson's head. (40s)
Clip: S14 Ep4 | 2m 41s | View video clips of Gutzon Borglum and the workers as they sculpt a national monument. (2m 41s)
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipSupport for PBS provided by:
Corporate sponsorship for American Experience is provided by Liberty Mutual Insurance and Carlisle Companies. Major funding by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.