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Home » News » Learn the True Story of the Pilgrims Along the Mayflower Trail
Shoulder Season
November 1, 2024
We’ve all heard the classic story of the Pilgrims when Thanksgiving comes around. They sailed from England on the Mayflower to escape persecution, landed on Plymouth Rock on November 9, 1620, and after a hard first year held a feast with the Native Americans who taught them how to survive in their new settlement.
However, there’s so much more to the story, and there’s no better place to learn all about the Mayflower passengers and Wampanoag story than America’s Hometown: Plymouth. Take a three-day journey along the Mayflower Trail to visit historical sites, museums, and other amazing attractions that will teach you about Pilgrim history.
79 Water Street, Plymouth
Start your journey along the Mayflower trail where the Pilgrims landed: Plymouth Rock. There’s no denying that it’s become a symbol of religious freedom and civil liberty, immigration, and the founding and beginning of America.
Located in Pilgrim Memorial State Park, Plymouth Rock might not be as big as you’d expect, but it’s a landmark you shouldn’t miss. You’re invited to come view this important piece of Plymouth’s story.
72 Water Street, Plymouth
As you make your way up Water Street to your next historic destination, look for the Pilgrim Mother Statue. This stately marble and granite statue was a gift from the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1921 for Plymouth’s 300th anniversary celebration. It’s meant to represent female triumph and honor the women who survived the first harsh winter in Pawtuxet.
75 Water Street, Plymouth
While no one knows for sure what happened to the original Mayflower, if you’d like to board the Pilgrims’ famous ship, the Mayflower II is the next best thing. This full-scale reproduction of the tall ship is a floating classroom and working vessel. She’s a square-rigged vessel with four masts, six sails, and measures about 25ft wide and 106ft long. The only notable differences between the Mayflower II and her predecessor is the large modern staircase between the main and lower decks, a few accessibility modifications, and the use of electric lights.
Carver Street, Plymouth
On your way to Brewster Gardens, you’ll be able to visit Cole’s Hill. This National Historic Landmark and public park contains the first cemetery used by the Pilgrims. The first winter for the Pilgrims was devastating; and approximately half of the original Mayflower passengers and crew died the first winter. At the top of the hill rests a granite sarcophagus erected by the General Society of Mayflower Descendants in 1920. It contains skeletal remains that are believed to belong to Mayflower settlers buried in the winter of 1620-21.
You’ll also be able to see the Massasoit Statue. This statue depicts Wampanoag sachem Massasoit, or Ousamequin, whose support was critical to the Pilgrims’ survival after that first winter. He forged a peace treaty with the colonial leaders and is credited by English sources with preventing the starvation and failure of the settlement. There would truly be no Plymouth without him.
30 Water Street, Plymouth
Brewster Gardens is a pleasant and peaceful park with ties to Pilgrim history. It encompasses the original garden plot that was granted to Elder William Brewster in 1620. It was an ideal place for the Pilgrims to settle due to the availability of fresh water from the brook and springs throughout the area. There was also an abundance of thatch which was used for roofing material for their homes.
During the early 1920s, several dedicated Plymouth women worked to turn it into the park it is today. As you enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, visit the Pilgrim Maiden, which is a bronze statue dedicated to the intrepid English women whose courage and devotion brought a new nation into being.
Leyden Street, Plymouth
If you want to walk in the footsteps of the Pilgrims, you’ll want to go to Leyden Street. After disembarking from the Mayflower, the Pilgrims began laying out the street before Christmas. They built their homes along this street as it led from the shore all the way to the base of Burial Hill. The famed first Thanksgiving was likely held nearby.
Leyden Street is claimed to be the oldest continuously inhabited street of the original Thirteen Colonies. It was originally even called First Street, though in 1823 it was renamed in honor of Leiden, Holland, which had offered the Pilgrims shelter before their journey to America.
19 Town Square, Plymouth
With over 400 years of history, the Mayflower Meetinghouse is the oldest continuous church and organization of any kind in the United States. Formerly known as the First Parish Church of Plymouth, within are stained glass windows that vividly depict the images of the pilgrim settlers. This includes a signed Louis Comfort Tiffany window which portrays the signing of the Mayflower Compact.
School Street, Plymouth
The final stop on your first day exploring the Mayflower Trail is Burial Hill. This is the site of the Pilgrims’ first fort, where they placed their cannons atop the high hill facing the harbor for protection. It’s also the burial place of William Bradford and other first settlers.
For an extra historic treat, come on the first Saturday of the month from February through December. This is when you can experience thematic tours of Burial Hill organized by the Plymouth Antiquarian Society and Pilgrim Hall Museum. These free public tours begin at the top of Burial Hill at 1 pm and last approximately one hour.
72 Allerton Street, Plymouth
The National Monument to the Forefathers, formerly known as the Pilgrim Monument, was built in 1889 to commemorate the Mayflower Pilgrims. At 81ft tall it is thought to be the largest solid granite monument in the United States. It depicts the allegorical figures of Morality, Education, Law, and Liberty at the base of the figure of Faith. A dedication on the monument reads, “National Monument to the Forefathers. Erected by a grateful people in remembrance of their labors, sacrifices and sufferings for the cause of civil and religious liberty.”
The monument is free to visit and open to the public April-November. During the off-season you can still walk in and view the monument. You just won’t be able to park your car inside if the gate is closed.
75 Court Street, Plymouth
There’s no better place to immerse yourself in the history of the Pilgrims than Pilgrim Hall Museum. It is the oldest continuously operating museum in the country where you can immerse yourself in the 400-year-old story of the Pilgrims and the Native Wampanoag people through the world’s finest collection of early Plymouth possessions. You’ll discover their history and ways of life through three galleries with multimedia presentations, rare artifacts, and exhibitions.
Pilgrim Hall Museum is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 9:30am to 5pm. It closes for the season Saturday, December 7th, but will reopen in March. Check their calendar for special seasonal reopenings during February school vacation week and other special events.
137 Warren Avenue, Plymouth
Spend your last day on the Mayflower Trail at Plimoth Patuxet Museums. You’ll get to step into history to discover the stories of the Indigenous people and English colonists. The Historic Patuxet Homesite is where you can learn about the Wampanoag Tribe who have called New England home for over 12,000 years. You’ll get to hear about how the Pilgrims’ arrival affected their way of life and see the traditions they have kept even 400 years later.
The museums are open from March through the Sunday following Thanksgiving Day. However, when the Museum sites and exhibits are closed for the season, Plimoth Cinema remains open and accessible to patrons. The Museum Gift Shop remains open through noon on December 24th.
