A guide to the historical sights, information on hotel accomodations, tips for tourist specials. Advice for the whole family.
In 1620 a ship called the Mayflower carrying 102 passengers slipped into Plymouth Harbor in Massachusetts. In this place the new settlers gave birth to New England's colonial history.
If you have a hunger for more knowledge on the colonial history of the United States a visit to Plymouth Rock and the Plimouth Plantation would be in order.
The Rock itself is now sheltered in a temple at the bottom of Cole's Hill. The temple represents the spirit of the first settlers who left their homeland to a new life of freedom in America.
Three miles south of the pilgrims landing is Plimouth Plantation. The second Governor of the colonies, William Bradford most often spelled Plymouth with an "i" rather than a "y", thus naming the plantation Plimouth.
The Plimouth Plantation has been preserved on the exact spot where the pilgrims first settled as an outdoor museum. The plantation is more than a historical site. On this hillside overlooking the Cape Cod Bay you might believe you have stepped back into time. Historian actors grace the grounds of the plantation, speaking the language of the 1600's, encouraging conversation with visitors. Wearing period clothing, speaking, and working convincingly at portraying the lives their ancestors lived.
The Plimouth Plantation is home to the fort built in 1622 to protect the settlement from the Indians, French and Spanish. The fort doubled as a meeting house where the pilgrims held religious services and community meetings. More than 20 dwellings are erected on the plantation, including the homes of John Alden and Myles Standish.
Adjoining Plimouth Plantation is the Wampanoag Indian Homesite and Mayflower II. The Wampanoag tribe were the new neighbors to the first settlers who taught them new farming techniques and traded the settlers their pelts for corn the pilgrims grew.
The Mayflower II, anchored at the State Pier in Plymouth, was designed as a replica of the original Mayflower. Painstakingly authentic, the Mayflower II was built without the privilege of photographs or even a description of the original ship. Therefore, its designer had to research similar merchant ships from the era to depict a realistic full size replica. This majestic beauty with hand-sewn sails delivers that same "lost in time" experience to her visitors. Once again men and women depict the early settlers after their voyage to Plymouth. From passengers preparing to go ashore and settle on the new land, to crewmen working in readiness for a return to England, these talented interpreters of history are more than convincing in their portrayals.
While visiting Plymouth don't forget to include a stop at Pilgrim Hall Museum on Court Street, and the oldest wood frame house, the Richard Sparrow House built in 1640. Then take a hike up to Burial Hill where gravestones date back to the 17th century. Atop Buriel Hill you will have a delightful view of Plymouth Harbor, the Mayflower II and the bay.
Children of every generation can explore the past at Plymouth, gaining knowledge of the lives of those who fled England to create a land of freedom and equality. Rejoicing in the joy of the new beginning and seeing first hand the hardships endured by the first Americans.
Colonial New England is alive and living in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
