Hail to the Sunrise facts for kids
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| Coordinates | 42°38′23.14″N 72°54′47.85″W / 42.6397611°N 72.9132917°W |
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| Location | Mohawk Park, Charlemont, Massachusetts |
| Designer | Joseph Pollia |
| Material | Bronze |
| Completion date | 1932 |
| Dedicated to | The Mohawk nations of Massachusetts and New York |
Hail to the Sunrise is a special monument located in Charlemont, Massachusetts. It features a large statue of a Mohawk person and a calm reflecting pool. This monument was finished in 1932. It is a main part of Mohawk Park, which is a park found next to Massachusetts Route 2. This road is also known as the Mohawk Trail.
The bronze statue shows a Native American man wearing traditional clothes. He is looking towards the east with his arms stretched out. He faces the direction where the sun rises. People say he is greeting the Great Spirit, which is a spiritual idea for many Native American cultures. The statue stands on a big boulder. At the base of the statue, there is a tablet shaped like an arrowhead. It says: "Hail to the Sunrise - In Memory of the Mohawk Indian."
The pool next to the statue has 100 special stones lining it. These stones have words carved into them. They came from different tribes and groups of the Improved Order of Red Men. This was a fraternal organization of white men from all over the United States.
History of the Monument
The Hail to the Sunrise statue was created by a sculptor named Joseph Pollia. It was shown to the public for the first time on October 1, 1932. More than 2,000 people came to the special ceremony that day.
This monument honors the people of the five Mohawk Nations. These nations lived in western Massachusetts and New York State. The Mohawks who traveled along this trail were known to be friendly with white settlers.
Today, the monument helps us remember the area's Native American heritage. The park grounds are open for everyone to visit. Many travelers find it a nice place to stop along the beautiful highway. The park also hosts an annual parade and ceremony. This event is held by the Improved Order of Red Men every September.
