Plymouth Museums and Sites for History Buffs

Blogs

August 10, 2023

Plymouth is one of the most historic areas in Massachusetts and New England as a whole. It’s where the Pilgrims settled, there’s an abundance of historic sites and museums, and the Native American history and culture is still strong. So there’s no surprise that the town is filled with incredible museums, colonial houses, and historic replicas that no history buff would dare to miss.

Plimoth Patuxet Museums

If you want to learn about the early days of Plymouth, you’ll want to check out the Plimoth Patuxet Museums. Full of exhibits that are educational and interactive, you’ll hear the stories of the Indigenous people and English colonists.

See the olden days come to life with the 17th-century English Village. This recreation of early Plymouth is full of reenactors, timber-framed houses, heritage breeds of livestock, and more. The Mayflower II is a full-sized reproduction of the famous ship that brought the Pilgrims to Plymouth in 1620. Visit the Plimoth Grist Mill, which is a reconstruction of the original grist mill that ground corn into flour for the original colonists. All of these come together to paint a vibrant picture of life for the Pilgrims.

Plimoth Patuxet Museums 2023

Combination and Heritage Tickets allow for two consecutive days at the Plimoth Patuxet campus and one visit at the other site(s) on the day of your choice during the season. Open from 9-5 seven days a week, these museums and exhibits will remain open in 2023 through the Sunday following Thanksgiving Day before closing for the season.

Harlow Old Fort House Museum

See one of the few remaining 17th century buildings nestled in the oldest established town in the Commonwealth. The Harlow Old Fort House Museum was a gambrel-roofed house built in 1677 that now stands as a museum. Furnished with early American artifacts, the house shows daily life in colonial New England. 

You won’t be alone on your journey through history at this house. Experience family-friendly guided tours featuring hands-on activities. They’re offered on a first-come, first-served basis from June 10th to September 2nd.

Pilgrim Hall Museum

Pilgrim Hall Museum doesn’t just display history – it is history. Over 200 years old, making it the oldest continuously operating museum in the country, this museum welcomes you to immerse yourself in the 400-year-old story of the Pilgrims and the Native Wampanoag people. Get a first-hand look at their lives through the world’s finest collection of early Plymouth items and artifacts. 

History buffs can visit three galleries with multimedia presentations, rare artifacts, and exhibits. Together, they tell the stories of the English families who settled Plymouth in 1620 and the Indigenous peoples who lived here before, during, and after their arrival. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, April 1 – December 3, 2023, from 9:30am-5pm.

If the history of New England, the Pilgrims, and Indigenous people fascinates you, book a visit to Plymouth before the summer ends. Book your museum tickets, put on your buckled hat, and get ready to learn at the incredible museums and historic sites open for the season.