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