| Plimoth Plantation and the Mayflower II | | | | England would have looked seven years |
| ship are illuminating exhibits on a | | | | into the venture. |
| major event in early American history. | | | | The people of the village dress, talk, |
| Both are places to stir the imagination | | | | and act, as best we know they would've |
| and entertain your knowledge cells. At | | | | on the original Plymouth Plantation. But |
| the Mayflower II you'll discover | | | | that doesn't mean they are aloof or |
| first-hand all about the voyage the | | | | communicate in riddles or a strange |
| pilgrims endured, and then barely a few | | | | tongue. Their aim is to educate and |
| miles away you'll experience the early | | | | entertain but still remain true to the |
| and struggling years of settlement. | | | | era. I've always found they are engaging |
| Plimoth Plantation and the Mayflower are | | | | and excellent in this balance. |
| both located in Plymouth, Massachusetts | | | | The stroll out of the village along the |
| - a small city 40 miles south of Boston. | | | | Eel River walk takes you to the Native |
| Authentic yet entertaining the two | | | | people homesite. As mentioned earlier, |
| attractions are links to our past and | | | | the Pilgrims wouldn't have survived the |
| the 102 passengers that survived the | | | | first year had it not been for help from |
| journey across the stormy Atlantic seas. | | | | the Native Peoples. They taught them |
| The Mayflower voyage of 1620 took 66 | | | | about the region and it's agriculture |
| days after leaving Plymouth, England on | | | | and the resources of the land, and how |
| September 6, and anchoring in present | | | | to thrive. |
| day Provincetown harbor in Cape Cod on | | | | This special area is a home for an |
| November 11, 1620. Only one individual | | | | extended family not another village. It |
| did not survive the journey. Though the | | | | honors the importance and affinity the |
| pilgrims had endured much hardship on | | | | Native People have in this region. Take |
| the voyage the worst was yet to come. | | | | time to appreciate the skills of weaving |
| Deciding Cape Cod was not a suitable | | | | and tanning practiced at the site, and |
| place for a settlement, and forced north | | | | the use of fire for burning out boats. |
| because of the weather and shoals south | | | | Go inside one of the houses and notice |
| of Cape Cod, the pilgrims finally came | | | | the materials and bindings used for |
| ashore in late November in present day | | | | construction. The inhabitants here do |
| Plymouth center. That first winter at | | | | not role-play so feel free to discuss |
| Plimoth Plantation decimated the | | | | modern day subjects with them. |
| settlers due to cold and disease. Of the | | | | The Mayflower II replica is docked on |
| 102 that came ashore only 52 were left | | | | State Pier on Water Street. You'll think |
| in the spring. | | | | it a small ship, and wonder how it |
| The native Wampanoag men showed the | | | | could've survived the wild and |
| survivors how to plant corn and in | | | | unforgiving North Atlantic. A 2,760-mile |
| October 1621 the Pilgrims celebrated | | | | trip in a ship that leaked and creaked |
| their first harvest at Plymouth | | | | at an agonizing speed of 2 mph! |
| Plantation and which today we mark on | | | | During your Mayflower tour you'll meet |
| our calendars as Thanksgiving Day. | | | | passengers on the ship role-playing for |
| Plymouth Plantation is a 1627 Pilgrim | | | | you. You'll get to see the passenger's |
| authentic village just a few miles | | | | cramped quarters and the captain's |
| outside of the city. | | | | spacious cabin. But most of all you'll |
| The plantation itself is a loop tour | | | | be cast back in time... and if you close |
| with two primary sites, the 1627 Pilgrim | | | | your eyes and listen to the gulls |
| Village and the Hobbamock's (Wampanoag) | | | | overhead, maybe you'll hear the shouts |
| Homesite. The village itself consists of | | | | of a sailor as he sights landfall and |
| modest timber-framed houses, and | | | | one journey's end... and the start of |
| fragrant raised-bed gardens. Everything | | | | another. |
| is plain and productive, and authentic - | | | | Enjoy your day at Plimoth Plantation and |
| this means don't expect neatly | | | | the Mayflower II. They're entertaining |
| maintained and tended areas and | | | | reminders of our history and a link back |
| settings. This is how the first | | | | to a monumental place in our history. |
| permanent English Settlement in New | | | | |