PLIMOUTH PLANTATION

Visiting Plimouth Plantation (in Plymouth ,Massachusetts) is a wonderful experience for all ages.  Since it's only one hour from our house we decided to take the grandchildren on a day excursion to this living history museum.
They allow you to explore at your own pace so we leisurely walked about each area immersing ourselves in the history and culture of 1627.   To start, there is a wonderful presentation that orients visitors on what to expect.   Here at the Wampanoag Homesite we met Native People who are using traditional skills to build a canoe.  The staff here are all from Native Nations and very knowledgeable.  They encourage questions as they explain all aspects of the task at hand.  They will actually use the canoe when it is complete.  It's a slow process and we get to witness only what they need to do on the day of our visit.

Stories included how they crafted their clothes, planted and harvested their gardens, and hunted for food.

We learned how they built their longhouses (wigwams) with poles and covered them with tree bark.  Entering one, we were amazed at the decorations, how many could sleep inside, how they kept warm, (and cool), and their methods of cooking.  As an interactive experience it was important to ask questions, allowing all of us to hear more about their unique culture and history.

The Eel River Boardwalk along a marshy pond of brackish water connects the Native American Homesite with the 1627 English Village of the first English settlers. (our next stop)

Here, we met costumed role players.   Each of the staff take on the persona of an original inhabitant.  They have all done the research, mastered the language, and portray historically accurate lives (and viewpoints) of those who lived here in 1627 (seven years after their arrival to the "new world").   They are always "in character" and at times didn't understand some of our"modern"  words and phrases when we asked questions or responded to their inquiries.  (ie "From where do ye come as ye dress and speak a bit queer?")

The village is only about 1/3 of the original colony's size but has re-created the homes, gardens, storehouses, and work areas of the original.

The Nye Barn area (no pic) is where we learned of the Plantation's rare breeds livestock program.

Here is a beautiful view of the village, looking out towards Cape Cod Bay from the two-storied meetinghouse at the top of the hill. (Where we got to talk to John Alden himself.)

At the Crafts Center we watched staff craftsmen make 17th century objects.  The exhibits demonstrated the techniques used 350 years ago to create furniture, baskets, pottery, clothing, candles, and Native crafts.  Each of the modern-day artisans fascinated us with their knowledge and skill.

On board the Mayflower II, we got to explore all decks and talk with the costumed role players who each portray a passenger or one of the crew.  Before walking up the gangplank there's interesting, informative exhibits explaining the history of both the original Mayflower and her reproduction.  Then, Plymouth Rock is just a short walk up the street that winds along this picturesque bay.   It was an exciting way to experience history and definitely a powerful enhancement to classroom lessons.
(pics by Trish&Jud)

visit: Plimouth Plantation and Mayflower site