Gerard Baker, 71, once had to clean toilets before becoming a leader in the National Park Service. He has spent his career expanding the interpretation of our national parks, but it was at Mount Rushmore where he faced his toughest challenge.
In 2004, Baker became the first Native American superintendent at Mount Rushmore and brought with him a new approach to storytelling. He hired local interpreters to share their tribes’ histories and encouraged hoop dancers to perform at the memorial’s auditorium.
However, his efforts were met with resistance from the Mount Rushmore Society, which questioned his emphasis on Native interpretive programs. Baker clashed with the organization’s leadership over his confrontational style, leading to a toll on his relationships and health. In 2009, he suffered a stroke that left him wondering if he could have been less forceful in his pursuit of change.
Baker’s legacy at Mount Rushmore is marked by controversy and debate. Some visitors were unsettled by the new perspectives, while others saw it as a welcome addition to the memorial’s history. Today, Baker looks back on his time at Mount Rushmore with a mix of emotions, proud of what he achieved but also haunted by the challenges he faced.
As the Trump administration aims to remove any historical complexity from our national parks and museums, Baker’s battles over the interpretive soul of Mount Rushmore strike a chord today. He argues that visitors want more than just a “warm, fuzzy feeling” when they come to these places – they want to leave with a deeper understanding of American history and culture.
Baker’s story is one of courage and conviction in the face of adversity. As he reflects on his time at Mount Rushmore from his Montana ranch, he knows that his legacy will be shaped by the battles he fought for Native American representation and interpretation.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/oct/26/mount-rushmore-native-american-history