The statue rests on a Milford pink granite base designed by Y. Lovell Little and Raymond A. Porter.

Twenty-three-year-old Cyrus Dallin won a competition for the sculpture in 1885 beating out two other finalists: Daniel Chester French and James E. Kelly of New York.

But due to a variety of circumstances, the final version in Boston's North End would not be installed for over 50 years.

[4] At the 1940 dedication event James F. O'Connell, manager of the White Fund presented the statue to the Mayor of Boston, Maurice J. Tobin.

The Mayor then introduced Henry L. Shattuck of the Boston City Council to give the dedication address that was heard by thousands.