Monument Plate
White plate with an image of the Myles Standish Monument, circa 1900
Austria
Ceramic
Gift of Glen Traquair, 2019.106.002
White souvenir plate of the “Myles Standish Monument, Duxbury, Mass.” The plate was made in Austria for sale by N.M. Stetson’s pharmacy located on Washington Street in Duxbury.
Nelson Mitchell Stetson (1855-1907) was born in Scituate, MA and become a pharmacist shortly before opening the Duxbury Pharmacy in 1897. It was located at 590 Washington Street, opposite the post office at the time. The Stetson family lived on the second floor of the building. In addition to filling prescriptions, the pharmacy also sold toiletries, cigars, souvenirs and had a counter for ice cream. Shortly after opening, Stetson took on an employee, Paul C. Peterson, who became the owner in 1907.
In 1872 the Standish Monument Association began construction of the Myles Standish Monument, designed by architect Alden Frink, on Captain’s Hill, land once owned by Standish. The statue atop the monument was created by Irish-American sculptor, Stephen J. O’Kelley and carved by Italian craftsmen, Stefano Brignoli and Luigi Limonetta. Construction halted for many years due to lack of funds. When construction restarted in 1889 different granite had to be used, a change that can be noticed today about halfway up the shaft.
Digging Duxbury
The quest for archaeological evidence of the Pilgrim past began with an 1833 dig, one of the earliest in U.S. history.
Coming to a Pilgrim Town
Coming to a Pilgrim Town
Duxbury’s Pilgrim history, combined with the town’s natural beauty, initiated a tourist boom.
Collecting in a Pilgrim Town
Collecting in a Pilgrim Town
The tourism boom brought another enterprise, the creation and sale of Pilgrim-themed souvenirs.
Lasting Legacy
Duxbury's Lasting Legacy
Duxbury never forgot its Pilgrim origins. How could it? The names continue to generate interest today.
Return to Exhibition Main Page.