Update: We’ve published Faith and Freedom: The National Monument to the Forefathers, a book describing this magnificent monument in more detail. Learn more.
A granite monument standing 81 feet tall honors the first English settlers to land in Plymouth, Mass.
The National Monument to the Forefathers stands in a state park on Allerton Street. If you look at the first picture in this post, the small people in the lower left will give you a good indication of the size of this massive and intricate monument.
The monument, the largest solid-granite monument in the United States, was dedicated in 1889 (30 years after its cornerstone was laid).
A dedication on the monument’s northeast face reads, “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 monument features several allegorical figures depicting virtues the Pilgrims, known in Plymouth as the Forefathers, brought with them when they arrived in Massachusetts in 1620.
The largest figure, Faith, is 36 feet tall and weighs 180 tons by itself. Faith, holding a Bible, stands atop a granite column facing toward Plymouth Harbor and England. (The osprey nest on Faith’s head is not part of the original design.)
The eight-sided column features four buttresses with seated 15-foot-tall allegorical figures. Moving counterclockwise from the monument’s front, the north face features a representation of Morality, a woman holding a tablet bearing the beginning of the Ten Commandments, “I am the Lord thy God.”
Niches in the base of Morality’s throne honor prophecy and evangelism.
The west face depicts Law, a man holding a book. Law is flanked by smaller figures depicting justice and mercy.
Education graces the south face with a woman pointing to a book in her lap. Representations of wisdom and youth flank Education’s throne.
The east face features a representation of Liberty, a seated warrior with a sword in his right arm and a broken chain in his left. He is flanked by depictions of peace and tyranny, symbolizing the defeat of tyranny and the resulting peace.
Along with the allegorical figures, the monument’s buttresses also feature bas-relief sculptures depicting scenes such as the Pilgrims departing England and landing on the shores of Plymouth and interacting with Native Americans.
The side of the monument’s face also bears panels listing the names of the Pilgrim settlers, and a quote from William Bradford, a governor of the colony.
The monument was designed primarily by Boston sculptor Hammatt Billings, who was also responsible for the Civil War monument in Concord, Mass. As large was the Forefathers monument stands, Billings’ original design called for it to be nearly twice as high at 150 feet (just under the Statue of Liberty’s height, including the pedestal, of 151 feet).
The monument’s height was reduced when funding became short during the Civil War.
The monument was commissioned by the Pilgrim Society, which maintained the monument and the small park surrounding it until the site was deeded to the commonwealth in 2001.
The Pilgrims are also honored with a monument in Provincetown, Mass., that was dedicated in 1910. The Pilgrims originally landed in Provincetown, but after five weeks, decided the far end of Cape Cod would be better suited for T-shirt shops and restaurants than for farming. The group then migrated west to the more-sheltered area that became Plymouth.
Tags: Massachusetts
I know that the nest on faith’s head was not in the original plan, but doesn’t it look like a crown of thorns?
Not a crown of thorns, its a birds nest…
I never knew about this inspiring monument in that it not only honors our forefathers but also to the unmistaken steps of success for our nation by being a people under God.
What address would you put in to reach the Forefathers’ Monument?
Hi Kristin – Best address would be 70 Allerton Street.
Just saw the new Kirk Cameron movie “Monument” which tells the story of The Forefathers, and how America has to find it’s way in 2012 and get back on track the way the Forefathers intended us to be.. Go see it! great show…This Monument is promenantly featured and the story behind it is fascinating.
We were so moved on our first visit with our grandchildren, that we went back the next day from Boston to study and digest the details. Incredibly moving!
Never knew about these Monuments, strange that we were not taught about them in school…this is apart of our history.
We just visited the monument and were fascinated with it. Thank you to our tour guide, Mark, from Grayline tours for taking us to see it.
So if church and state are supposed to be separate, why did congress fund this monument? We are a Godly nation and owe everything to God….
I Just found out about this and looked it up its beautiful and does support our beliefs and values, this should be shown and talked about to everyone God Bless the people who did this.
I too saw this in the Kirk Cameron movie “Monumental”. Just an awesome documentary about all the pilgrims went through and how they themselves DID NOT come here to rape and pillage the land as is taught in public school today. I have never heard of this monument until this movie but my goal IS to go see it in person!!!
I also saw the movie monumental. I cant’ wait to go see this monument. And I can’t believe no one knows about it. how sad.
Thanks to Art Thompson’s weekly news video from JBS, I first learned of this monument to the pilgrim forefathers, and the principles under which they operated embodied in commemorating them via this tangible monument. Having read about the movie “Monumental”–I now want to see it! I want to visit 70 Allerton Street in Plymouth MA and photograph monument details. But more than anything, I want to see this country return to those principles upon which it was founded! I hope to live to see the obliteration (or better yet, conversion) of all those trying to destroy what was once the greatest nation of earth…which we became only because our god was the LORD. I pray for the “reconversion” of this country which has abandoned faith (morality, education, law and liberty) and personal responsibility. May WE choose godly leaders, governors and all rulers; may we repent of our neglect and complacency; may we begin again to make wise and righteous decisions in every aspect of our lives. LORD, I pray your mercy and grace on this nation, but especially ask your protection for all of those who call upon You as LORD, both here and abroad! AMEN!
We viewed the movie “monumental”today. We are in total agreement that the only way to put this country back on track is to recapture our most important heritage. The Truth can’t remain hidden if the followers of the way begin to live his way again. We must take courage and really lay it down for the next generation. May the propitious smiles of heaven once again return to this land. Let us dare again!
seen the monument yesterday = wow. also the movie by Cameron when we got home. our guide was in the movie monumental and it’s just like he says, this country has fallen by the way side, and will be no more if God is forsaken . this country too shall be no more. as late as 1963 the us govt. printed things giving praise to our lord God. and since then the heathens have had their way and continue too. well this is one Christian paratrooper you better not mess with. 82nd Abn Div. PRAISE GOD.
We are so happy to have found this monument and plan to visit in July 2015! This should be all over the news and in Congress daily!! We pray this country will return to it’s roots and seek God and His Righteousness. 70 Allerton Street, Plymouth, MA will be in our GPS!! I am going to try and post something regarding this monument on my Facebook page every week and make it Public, as a small effort to ‘get the word out’ about this piece of History of the USA that is not taught in any school I’ve been to.