This was the burial place of the Pilgrims who died during the first winter, as well as the location of Cyrus Dallin's statue of the Indian chief Massasoit, who ratified the 1621 peace treaty.
The inscription on the monument identifies Massasoit as "Protector and Preserver of the Pilgrims." His people protected the English settlers from the hostile tribes, and saved them from starvation by teaching them to plant corn and other crops.
