Discover the Untold Story of Massasoit: Monumental Mobility in America

Monuments have the power to shape collective memory and preserve historical events for future generations. They represent significant moments and individuals who have greatly influenced the course of history. One such monumental figure is Massasoit, a Native American leader who played a crucial role in the early years of America's colonization.

Unveiling Massasoit's Legacy

Massasoit was a Wampanoag sachem, or chief, who played a pivotal role in the alliance between the Wampanoag Confederacy and the Pilgrims in Plymouth Colony. He welcomed the English settlers to the New World, helping them establish and survive in their early years. This relationship between the Native Americans and the English settlers laid the foundation for future American history.

Despite his significant contribution, Massasoit's legacy has often been overlooked or overshadowed by other historical figures. However, recent efforts have been made to recognize his crucial role in shaping America's early years, leading to the emergence of the notion of "Monumental Mobility."

Monumental Mobility: The Memory Work of Massasoit

by Edgar Wollstone(Kindle Edition)

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	23194 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	279 pages

FREE

The Concept of Monumental Mobility

Monumental Mobility refers to the act of reevaluating the existing monumental landscape and introducing new monuments or markers that highlight previously underrepresented historical figures. Through this process, historical narratives are adjusted to provide a more comprehensive and inclusive representation of the past.

Massasoit's memory work is a prime example of Monumental Mobility in action. As his contributions and significance become more widely acknowledged, efforts have been made to erect monuments, statues, and markers across the country that honor his memory and his pivotal role in American history.

Monumental Projects Across America

Massasoit's presence can now be felt in various locations throughout the United States. Notably, the city of Plymouth, Massachusetts, has embraced the memory of Massasoit by erecting a stunning monument in his honor. This monument portrays Massasoit extending a hand of peace and friendship to the English settlers, symbolizing the alliance they formed.

In addition to Plymouth, other cities and towns have also taken part in the monumental mobility movement. Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut now house statues and plaques that commemorate the life and contributions of Massasoit.

Igniting Conversations and Reflection

Bringing Massasoit's memory to the forefront sparks important conversations and reflections on America's history. The reevaluation of monumental landscapes allows society to come face to face with the complexities and nuances of the past, encouraging a more accurate and inclusive understanding of historical events.

Monumental Mobility not only recognizes the contributions of individuals like Massasoit but also serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts needed to embrace diverse perspectives throughout history. By focusing on previously underrepresented figures, we can challenge traditional narratives and foster a greater appreciation for the multifaceted nature of our shared history.

Looking Towards the Future

Monumental Mobility is an ongoing process that strives to tell a more accurate and representative story of America's past. As society evolves, so too should our monuments and markers. By actively engaging in the reevaluation of our monumental landscape, we can continue to honor influential figures like Massasoit while also recognizing and memorializing others who may have been historically overlooked.

Monumental Mobility becomes a catalyst for change, reminding us of the continuous evolution of our societal values and the necessity of collective memory that reflects the complexity of our shared history.

Massasoit's memory work exemplifies Monumental Mobility in its truest form. By acknowledging his contributions and erecting monuments in his honor, we are rewiring our understanding of history and creating a more inclusive narrative of America's past.

As we revisit the monumental landscape of America, it is essential to amplify the voices that have long been ignored or forgotten. Through this process, we can pave the way for a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of our shared history, ultimately fostering a society that values diversity and the multiplicity of perspectives.

Monumental Mobility: The Memory Work of Massasoit

by Edgar Wollstone(Kindle Edition)

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	23194 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	279 pages

FREE

Installed at Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1921 to commemorate the tercentenary of the landing of the Pilgrims, Cyrus Dallin's statue Massasoit was intended to memorialize the Pokanoket Massasoit (leader) as a welcoming diplomat and participant in the mythical first Thanksgiving. But after the statue's unveiling, Massasoit began to move and proliferate in ways one would not expect of generally stationary monuments tethered to place. The plaster model was donated to the artist's home state of Utah and prominently displayed in the state capitol; half a century later, it was caught up in a surprising case of fraud in the fine arts market. Versions of the statue now stand on Brigham Young University's campus; at an urban intersection in Kansas City, Missouri; and in countless homes around the world in the form of souvenir statuettes.

As Lisa Blee and Jean M. O'Brien show in this thought-provoking book, the surprising story of this monumental statue reveals much about the process of creating, commodifying, and reinforcing the historical memory of Indigenous people. Dallin's statue, set alongside the historical memory of the actual Massasoit and his mythic collaboration with the Pilgrims, shows otherwise hidden dimensions of American memorial culture: an elasticity of historical imagination, a tight-knit relationship between consumption and commemoration, and the twin impulses to sanitize and grapple with the meaning of settler-colonialism.