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Pilgrim Monument In Plymouth, Massachusetts
Dedicated in 1889 the National Monument to the Forefathers is thought to be the world's largest solid granite monument. Originally conceived to be 150 feet tall, it would have been comparable in size to the Colossus of Rhodes. The concept was scaled down and was constructed of granite quarried in Hollowell, Maine.
The main sculpture represents Faith with her right hand pointing heavenward and her left hand holding a Bible. There are buttresses with figures representing Morality, Law, Education, and Liberty.
Beneath each figure, on the face of each buttress, are bas reliefs in marble, representing scenes from Pilgrim history. Under Morality is Embarcation; under Law is Treaty; under Education is Compact; and under Freedom is Landing.
The front panel is inscribed: "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 right and left panels contain the names of those who came over in the Mayflower. The rear panel, which was not engraved until recently, contains a quote from Governor William Bradford's famous history, Of Plymouth Plantation.