Inspired by The Bear Paw’s
Recent Blogs about Mount Rushmore
“My lands,
Are where my dead lie buried.”
Crazy Horse,
Oglala Lakota Warrior
A 60-year Work in Progress
It started way back, in 1948
To honor a Native American
Whose legend will never fade
Commenced by a Polish Sculptor
Commissioned by Lakota Sioux
The sculptor’s family, carries on
One day, they hope to be through
This epic Crazy Horse Memorial
Now rises in the sacred Black Hills
I have visited this place, several times
And each time that I do, I get a new thrill
This grand Native American Memorial
Has received no government funding, at all
When completed, it will be the world’s largest
Dwarfing Mount Rushmore, standing 563 feet tall
- The Crazy Horse Memorial's mission is to honor the ancient culture, traditions, and living heritage of North American Indians.
- Started in 1948 by Polish sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski, it is being carved in the round, and when completed, it will be 641 feet long and 563 feet high.
- All four 60-foot high heads on Mt. Rushmore would fit inside just Crazy Horse's head.
- 1950 – Sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski married Ruth Ross.
- Korczak and Ruth had 10 children, five girls and five boys.
- Seven of their 10 children still work on this project.
- 1982 - Korczak dies at age 74, leaving Ruth and his family to carry on their dream. They continue it to this day.
- Sculptor Ziolkowski is buried at the foot of his epic creation.
- The Memorial is a private, non-profit undertaking, financed by admission fees and contributions.
- The Memorial does not receive any government funding at all.
- The Crazy Horse Memorial hosts more than a million visitors a year.
- In addition to the mountain carving, there is much more here. The complex includes a visitor center, twin theaters to show an orientation DVD, Indian Museum of North America, Native American Cultural Center, education and conference center, the sculptor's log-studio home, bronze showroom, and gift shops.
- The Crazy Horse Memorial complex is open year-round, and work continues on Thunderhead Mountain, year-round.
“My fellow chiefs and I
Would like the white man to know,
That the red man had great heroes, too.”
Chief Henry Standing Bear,
One of The Lakota Leaders
Who Commissioned Ziolkowski
To Sculpt Thunderhead Mountain
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Much peace, love, and light,
Amber "V"
Carmen
Fee
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Tx., Karen Lynn. :D
(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.
Sincerely,
Regino
In Spirit,
Bear
-I like to read about history too, and the heroes of old.
Cynthia