Pilgrim Monument facts for kids
View of the Pilgrim Monument with the Signing of the Mayflower Compact by Cyrus Dallin below, as seen from Bradford Street.
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| Coordinates | 42°03′08″N 70°11′21″W / 42.052226°N 70.1892015°W |
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| Location | High Pole Hill Road, Provincetown, Massachusetts |
| Designer | Willard T. Sears |
| Type | Campanile |
| Material | Granite |
| Height | 252 feet 7+1⁄2 inches (77 m); Rises 350 ft (107 m) above sea level |
| Beginning date | June 20, 1907 |
| Opening date | August 5, 1910 |
| Dedicated to | The first landfall of the Pilgrims in 1620, and the signing in Provincetown Harbor of the Mayflower Compact. |
| This is the tallest all-granite structure in the United States. | |
The Pilgrim Monument is a tall, impressive tower in Provincetown, Massachusetts. It was built between 1907 and 1910. This monument remembers an important event: the first time the Pilgrims landed in America in 1620. They also signed the Mayflower Compact in Provincetown Harbor nearby. Standing at about 252 feet (77 meters) tall, it's the tallest building made entirely of granite in the United States. It's a key part of the Provincetown Historic District.
Contents
History of the Pilgrim Monument
Why Was the Monument Built?
In 1620, the Pilgrims sailed on the ship Mayflower. They spent about five weeks exploring Cape Cod before going to Plymouth, Massachusetts. Before they even stepped onto land, they decided to write and sign an important agreement. This agreement was called the Mayflower Compact. It helped them set up rules for their new community.
Designing the Monument
To honor this important landing, a competition was held. More than 150 ideas for the monument were sent in. The winning design came from a Boston architect named Willard T. Sears. His design was inspired by the Torre del Mangia in Siena, Italy. That Italian tower was designed by Agostino and Agnolo da Siena way back in 1309.
Building and Dedicating the Monument
The building of the monument began with a special ceremony. On August 20, 1907, President Theodore Roosevelt helped lay the first stone, called the cornerstone. After the monument was finished, President William H. Taft officially opened it. This dedication ceremony happened on August 5, 1910.
Debates About the Design
The monument's design caused some discussion. Some people thought it didn't look much like anything related to the Pilgrims. One architect from Boston even joked that if they just wanted a strange building, they should have picked the Leaning Tower of Pisa. People also pointed out that Boston already had a similar tower. This was Boston's fire tower, built in 1892.
However, The Boston Globe newspaper noted that people in Provincetown were just happy to get a monument. An "old sea captain" was quoted saying he liked the design. He thought it looked like many lighthouses in Portugal and on Portuguese islands. This was a good thing because many Portuguese live in Provincetown.
Visiting the Monument Today
Today, people from all over the world visit Provincetown to climb the monument. At the base of the monument, there is also the Provincetown Museum. The museum celebrates Provincetown's rich history, especially its connection to the sea. Local residents are very proud of the monument. Every November, Christmas lights are strung from the top of the monument to its base. They stay lit nightly until January, creating a beautiful sight.
Images for kids
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Interior of the monument showing the ramps used to reach the top
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The monument in 1910
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View of the structure housing the Signing of the Mayflower Compact
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The Signing of the Mayflower Compact sculpture by Cyrus Dallin
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