What was the impetus for borglums trips to Washington D.C. In

The impetus for Gutzon Borglum's trips to Washington, D.C. was his desire to gain support and funding for his proposed Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Borglum had been working on the project since 1927 and had already completed the busts of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. However, he needed additional funds to complete the memorial and was hoping to convince the U.S. government to provide financial assistance.

Borglum made several trips to Washington, D.C. between 1929 and 1939 to meet with government officials and members of Congress. During these visits, he gave presentations about the project and showed models and photographs of the work he had already completed. He also met with President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was a strong supporter of the memorial and helped secure funding for the project.

In addition to seeking funding, Borglum also used his trips to Washington, D.C. to build support for the Mount Rushmore National Memorial among the general public. He gave lectures and interviews and published articles about the project in newspapers and magazines. He also lobbied Congress to pass legislation that would establish Mount Rushmore as a national park, which was eventually accomplished in 1941.

Borglum's trips to Washington, D.C. were ultimately successful in securing funding and support for the Mount Rushmore National Memorial. The memorial was completed in 1941 and remains one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States.