Discover Pilgrim Memorial State Park: A Walk Through America’s Origins
On the shores of Plymouth Harbor in Massachusetts, the Pilgrim Memorial State Park stands as a monument to the enduring legacy of the Mayflower Pilgrims. It preserves part of America’s origin tale.
The park attracts more than a million visitors yearly and is one of Massachusetts’ most visited state parks.
A Walk Through History
Pilgrim Memorial State Park was established in 1920 to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Pilgrims’ arrival. For more than a century, people from all over the world have come here to learn about the Pilgrims and Wampanoag Native Americans.
Plymouth Rock
The highlight for most visitors is seeing Plymouth Rock. The story of the pilgrims getting off the Mayflower in December 1620 and stepping onto Plymouth Rock has been etched into books for centuries. However, this is likely not the case. The rock may have simply been a convenient landmark or makeshift pier for a small boat.
Adding more skepticism to historical lore, Plymouth Rock was not identified as the Pilgrims’ landing place until 1741 – over 120 years later.
Since then, the rock has been moved several times. Even if it was the site of the Pilgrim’s landing, it is impossible to know with certainty that its current location is the original.
Regardless of the debate surrounding Plymouth Rock, they landed and remained and that is the most important. The exact location will likely forever be lost to history.
Mayflower II
Adjacent to Plymouth Rock is the Mayflower II, a replica of the original Mayflower that transported the Pilgrims across the Atlantic.
In 1620, one hundred and two passengers and more than 30 crew members packed on board the Mayflower for the 66-day journey across the Atlantic Ocean. Passengers were not permitted on deck. They spent the voyage below deck in dark and crowded conditions. It’s difficult to imagine what that journey must have been like.
We did not tour the Mayflower II during our visit, but they are offered.
Walking Tour
Plymouth Rock and the Mayflower II are the first two stops along a walking tour around the area. The route is about a quarter of mile and take about 30 minutes.
Pilgrim Mother Statue
The Pilgrim Mother Statue is the third stop. This monument celebrates the courage and fortitude of the 29 women and girls who arrived on the Mayflower. By the first Thanksgiving in 1621, only five of the adult women were still living.
Cole’s Hill
Next is Cole’s Hill, where the Agreement of Peace between the Wampanoag people and the English colonists was made. It’s also where the English colonists and sailors who perished during the first winter were buried. The view from the top is quite nice.
Statue of Massasoit
Next, we walked over to the Statue of Massasoit. This statue is actually of Ousamequin. He was a Massasoit, a Great Sachem or leader, of the Wampanoag Nation. This is the group of Native Americans who became the first allies of the Pilgrims.
National Day of Mourning
A large rock with a metal plaque marks the National Day of Mourning. Since 1970, Indigenous People and their allies have gathered on Cole’s Hill to commemorate a National Day of Mourning on Thanksgiving Day. It is a day of protest against racism and oppression of Indigenous Peoples.
Pilgrim Sarcophagus
The Pilgrim Sarcophagus is the seventh stop along the short walking tour. This sarcophagus holds the bones uncovered during various excavations and floods of Cole’s Hill in the 18th and 19th centuries. Pilgrims and sailors who perished the first winter were buried on Cole’s Hill; burials continued at this site until 1637. The sarcophagus reads, “Of the one hundred and four passengers these died in Plymouth during the first year.” On it are the names of the 47 Pilgrims who died. Over the first winter months, half of the passengers and crew died.
Leyden Street
As you walk down Leyden Street, you follow the footprints of the Pilgrims. They used this stretch to go to and from home, to church, gardens, and for much of their daily lives. It is the oldest continuously used English street in America. People have been living on and using Leyden Street since 1620.
Governor Bradford Statue
The Governor Bradford Statue is the final stop on the walking tour. John Carver served as the first governor of the Plymouth colony; William Bradford was the second. Carver died in 1621. His name is listed on the Pilgrim Sarcophagus. He is credited with writing the Mayflower Compact and signing the Treaty of Peace with the Wampanoags.
Governor William Bradford was governor for most of the early days of Plymouth Colony and ensured that the Mayflower Compact and the Treaty of Peace were followed. Peace lasted for more than fifty years, which is a very long time for a treaty to last. In his retirement, Bradford wrote Of Plymouth Plantation, his first-person account of the early years of Plymouth. His book is one of the reasons that so much detail is known about the colony’s early years.
National Monument to the Forefathers
The National Monument to the Forefathers is not within walking distance from the park, but it is a short drive and certainly worth your time if you are in the area. It was dedicated on August 1, 1889, and commemorates the Mayflower Pilgrims. At 81 feet tall, it’s believed to be one of the tallest solid granite monuments in the world.
We spent a little less than two hours exploring the park and certainly enjoyed our time. If you are in the area, I certainly recommend visiting Pilgrim Memorial State Park, it’s not often you can walk through more than 400 years of history.
