National Monument to the Forefathers
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The National Monument to the Forefathers commemorates the Mayflower Pilgrims and honors their ideals as later generally embraced by the United States.
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[edit] Overview
Located on Allerton Street in Plymouth, Massachusetts, the 81 foot (25 m) tall monument was commissioned by the Pilgrim Society. The original concept dates to around 1820, with actual planning beginning in 1850. The corner-stone was laid August 2, 1859. The monument was completed in October 1888, and was dedicated with appropriate ceremonies on August 1, 1889.[1].
It is built entirely of granite. The plan of the principal pedestal is octagonal, with four small, and four large faces; from the small faces project four buttresses. On the main pedestal stands the heroic figure of Faith; the sculptor was Joseph Archie, a Spaniard. Upon the four buttresses are seated figures emblematical of the principles upon which the Pilgrims founded their Commonwealth—Morality, Education, Law, and Freedom. Each was wrought from a solid block of granite. On the face of the buttresses, beneath these figures are high reliefs in marble, representing scenes from Pilgrim history. Upon the four faces of the main pedestal are large panels for records. The right and left panels contain the names of those who came over in the Mayflower. The rear panel is plain, being reserved for an inscription at some future day. The front panel is inscribed as follows: "National Monument to the Forefathers. Erected by a grateful people in remembrance of their labors, sacrifices and sufferings for the cause of civil and religious liberty."
The overall scheme was designed by architect Hammatt Billings, with subsidiary statues executed by area sculptors including William Rimmer.[2]
[edit] National Register
The monument was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on August 30, 1974. Originally under the care of the Pilgrim Society, it was given to the Massachusetts government in 2001.[3] It and Plymouth Rock constitute the Pilgrim Memorial State Park. Although intended as national in scope, the Forefathers Monument is not a federal "National Monument" as understood today from the Antiquities Act of 1906.
[edit] References
- ^ Plymouth Guide. Forefathers Monument. Retrieved on May 16, 2006.
- ^ National Park Service. National Register Red Book. Retrieved on May 16, 2006.
- ^ Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. Resource Management Plan, National Monument to the Forefathers. Retrieved on May 18, 2006.
[edit] External links
