The celebration of the tricentennial of the Pilgrim’s arrival in Massachusetts included the erection of a statue to Massasoit, great “Sachem of the Wampanoags”.
The Native leader is shown in a striking pose, displaying both strength and welcome.
The sculpture was completed in 1921 by the sculptor, Cyrus Edwin Dallin.
A bronze tablet on the base of the statue includes, in addition to the name (above), “Protector and Preserver of the Pilgrims”.
It was Massasoit who shared provisions and agricultural knowledge with the hard-pressed Puritan settlers; the statue is meant to honor this benefactor of the “First Thanksgiving”.
The native peoples who feasted in the Colony most likely believed that they were entering into an alliance with the English – they were soon disappointed to discover that the Puritans had no interest in assisting them in the tribal disputes that plagued the region and that the English were focused only on the growth and protection of the Plymouth Colony.
This postcard illustration was made in the 1920’s by Curt Teich Publishers of Chicago.
Teich printed and reprinted thousands of postcard photographs that had been made throughout the early 20th century.
This postcard was not mailed, but presented to Miss Watson(?).
The face was marred by blots and wrinkles (as seen on the reverse), but most were removed digitally.
