New Outdoor Ethnobotanical Garden Expands Interpretive Storytelling at the Memorial

Contact: Blaine Kortemeyer, (605) 574-3170

KEYSTONE, SD -- To celebrate Native American Heritage Month, Mount Rushmore National Memorial is excited to open a new outdoor exhibit focused on Lakota ethnobotany, star knowledge, and sacred sites. The exhibit, titled Stone Hoop and Ethnobotanical Garden, is organized in a circular design replicating Indigenous stone hoops found throughout North America. Several stone spokes originating from a center cairn correspond to significant sacred sites and celestial objects. This exhibit is a collaboration between financial support from the National Park Foundation (NPF), logistical support from the Mount Rushmore Society, and consultation with the Memorial's Associated Tribal Nations. "The National Park Service (NPS) thrives on strong partnerships," said Superintendent Michelle Wheatley, "this garden will enhance the visitor experience for years to come. We are very excited to be able to expand our interpretive storytelling in new and dynamic ways." The exhibit is open to the public during regular operating hours and is located at the main entrance of the park.

Funding for the exhibit came from the NPF in the form of a $250,000 grant. This funding supported all aspects of the project - including concrete construction, vegetation placement, and interpretive materials.

"The Stone Hoop Garden is the result of dedicated leadership and thoughtful collaborators who worked together to ensure that this space would be an authentic reflection of Native American culture in and around Mount Rushmore National Memorial," said Lise Aangeenbrug, Chief Program Officer at The National Park Foundation. "The National Park Foundation is proud to have been part of it and we're excited for park visitors to be able to enjoy this beautiful space while learning about Tribal culture."

NPF grants provide critical support to fill gaps in telling the American story at NPS units. The Stone Hoop Garden enhances the storytelling at Mount Rushmore National Memorial and reinforces the agency's mission to share all our nation's histories.

About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 430+ national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.