National Monument to the Forefathers, Granite memorial statue in Plymouth, United States
The National Monument to the Forefathers is a granite memorial in Plymouth, Massachusetts, honoring the passengers who arrived on the Mayflower. A central figure stands upright with one arm raised, while four additional seated figures rest on pedestals at the corners of the base, each embodying an abstract concept.
Planning for the memorial began in the mid-19th century, and work on the granite extended over three decades until completion. Its construction was funded through donations and aimed to preserve memory of the colony founded in the early 17th century.
The base carries inscribed names of Mayflower passengers, while visitors walk around the pedestal to view each allegorical figure carved in relief. School groups often stop here to study the symbolic language of the statues and their connection to the ideals that shaped early settler identity.
The hill where the memorial stands offers a wide view over the surroundings and requires a short walk from the parking area. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes, as the ground around the site can be uneven.
The original project envisioned an even greater total height, but available funds forced the builders to adjust the design. Today the structure stands as a particularly demanding work in stone, with every detail carved by hand despite the reduction.
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