Majestic figures of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln, surrounded by the beauty of the Black Hills of South Dakota, tell the story of the birth, growth, development and preservation of this country. Gutzon Borglum, the Chief Designer and Sculptor of Mount Rushmore, selected these four presidents because from his perspective, they represented the most important events in the history of the United States. From the history of the first inhabitants to the diversity of America today, Mount Rushmore brings just over two million visitors each year face to face with the rich heritage we all share.