National Monument to the Forefathers, (sculpture).

National Monument to the Forefathers, (sculpture).

Billings, Hammatt, 1818-1874, designer.

Billings, Joseph, architect.

Rimmer, William, 1816-1879, sculptor.

Perry, John D., b. 1845, sculptor. (attributed to)

Doyle, Alexander, 1857-1922, sculptor.

Conrad, Karl, sculptor.

Mahoney, James H., sculptor.

National Monument to the Forefathers, (sculpture).

Forefathers Monument, (sculpture).

Designed 1853. Dedicated Aug. 1, 1889.

Digital Reference:

Sculpture: granite; Base: granite; Relief panels: marble.

Sculpture: approx. H. 36 ft. (180 tons); Base: approx. H. 45 ft.

(Base, east side:) NATIONAL MONUMENT OT THE FOREFATHERS BY A GREATFUL PEOPLE IN REMEMBERANCE OF THEIR LABORS, SACRIFICES AND SUFFERINGS FOR THE CAUSE OF CIVIL AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

The monument consists a forty-five foot high octagonal shaft of rusticated granite blocks topped by a huge allegorical figure representing Faith. Around the base of the shaft are four buttresses each adorned with a seated allegorical figure that represents the principles upon which the Pilgrims founded their commonwealth --Morality, Law, Education, and Liberty. Below the allegorical figures are four reliefs illustrating scenes from the history of the Pilgrims --"Embarkation at Delft Haven," "Signing of the Social Compact in the Cabin of the Mayflower," "Landing at Plymouth," and "First Treaty with the Indians." Small relief figures representing Justice, Mercy, Wisdom, Youth, and Experience are located on the sides of the seated figures. Four recessed arched panels between the seated figures contain inscriptions. On the east panel is the title of the monument and a dedication. The other three panels bear the names of the passenger of the Mayflower.

Faith is a thirty-six foot high female figure standing at the top of the monument with her proper left foot resting on Plymouth Rock. She holds a copy of the Bible in her proper left hand and she points toward heaven with her raised proper right hand.

On the northeast side at the base of the shaft is a seated female figure representing Morality. She is dressed in long robes and in her hands she holds the Decalogue and the Scroll of Revelation. Below her is a marble relief panel depicting the Treaty with Massasoit.

On the southeast side at the base of the shaft is a seated male figure representing Liberty. He is clothed as a Centurian and in his arms he holds a sword. Beneath his heel he crushes the chains of bondage. Below him is a marble relief depicting the Signing of the Compact.

On the southwest side at the base of the shaft is a seated female figure representing Education. With her proper right hand she points to a book that she holds in her proper left hand.

On the northwest side at the base of the shaft is a seated male figure representing Law. He is dressed in classical robes and in his proper left hand he holds a tablet.

Allegory -- Quality -- Faith

Allegory -- Quality -- Prudence

Allegory -- Civic -- Law

Allegory -- Civic -- Liberty

Allegory -- Arts & Sciences -- Education

Religion -- Puritan

History -- United States -- Colonization

Portrait male -- Massasoit, Chief

Ethnic -- Indian -- Wampanoag

Outdoor Sculpture -- Massachusetts -- Plymouth

Administered by Pilgrim Society, 75 Court Street, Plymouth, Massachusetts 02360

Located at Allerton Street, Plymouth, Massachusetts

Number 3 in an edition of 15 bronze casts made by Kennedy Galleries in 1967 from the plaster now in the collection of the Yale University Art Gallery (IAS 75001867).

The monument was commissioned by the Pilgrim Society, an organization founded on Nov. 9, 1819 to expedite the creation of a memorial commemorating the landing of the Mayflower. A national fund drive to build the monument began in 1853. After a competition held in 1855, the project was initially awarded to two artists, but Hammatt Billings won out by promising to raise funds himself and protect the Pilgrim Society against all losses. When the Civil War came along, work on the monument was delayed and the cost was raised. Billings organized a nation-wide fund-raising campaign, offering silver and bronze models of the monument to subscribers. However, eventually inflation required Billings to reduce the size of the monument in order to cut costs. The Pilgrim Society agreed, signing the contract in 1874.

The thirty-six foot figure of Faith cost $31,300 and was a gift of Oliver Ames, a native of Plymouth and a well-known philanthopist. Faith was completed in 1877, three years after Hammatt Billings' death. The work was carried out by Hammatt's brother, Joseph Billings, who commissioned William Rimmer to make a nine foot plaster model for the figure of Faith. But Joseph Billings thought the drapery was too thin and turned Rimmer's work over to a little known sculptor named Perry, probably John D. Perry, who thickened the drapery and altered the head.

Alexander Doyle, Karl Conrad, and James H. Mahoney created the four smaller allegorical figures and marble reliefs around the base of the shaft. They were were not completed until 1889 due to difficulties in raising the additional funds. The total cost of the monument was $150,000 which was contributed by more than 11,000 people.

IAS files contain a copy of the Natioanl Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form, a copy of the Massachusetts Historical Commission Form A questionnaire, and an article from the Old Colony Memorial, Feb. 24, 1983. IAS files also contain copy of Pilgrim Society News, Summer 1989 "Special Monument Centennial Edition" newsletter.

Carlock, Marty, "A Guide to Public Art in Greater Boston," Boston: Harvard Common Press, 1988.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Massachusetts survey, 1994.

National Park Service, American Monuments and Outdoor Sculpture Database, MA5014, 1989.

Monumental News, Jan. 1889, pg. 4.

Weidman, Jeffrey, 1993.

The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

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