Presented to
the Gutzon Borglum family
Phil Lampert, Custer, left, accepts the 2003 Ben
Black Elk
Award from Gov. Mike Rounds on behalf of the Borglum family.
The Ben Black Elk Award is presented annually to an individual or group whose passion and enthusiasm greatly influences South Dakota’s visitor industry. This year's recipient has been a common thread in South Dakota's vision for nearly a century, with no sign of letting down.
Gutzon Borglum traveled throughout the country and the world, working and studying before returning to America. After accepting various jobs that infused his creative spirit, he visited South Dakota to begin a job that would forever embody the spirit of our country.
Often referred to as larger than life, Broglum gave each of his creations the utmost attention to detail. This work in South Dakota is often seen as a portrait of our country, and stands as a powerful symbol of freedom and democracy.
His son, Lincoln, helped work on the project, and inherited much of the artistic talents of his father. These talents allowed him to supervise the project when his father was out of state and to eventually become the project's leader.
Despite the father's death, the family continued his vision. They continue to have a positive, lasting presence in South Dakota. A devoted daughter, Mary Ellis, saw to it that each of her father's wishes were completed, and until her death last September, worked closely with those now in charge of her father's vision.
He once said, "Hence, let us place there, carved high, as close to heaven as we can, the words of our leaders, their faces, to show posterity what manner of men they were. Then, breathe a prayer that these records will endure until the wind and the rain alone shall wear them away." Nearly 3 million people visited his creation in 2002.
