Plymouth

We went into Plymouth to learn more about the Pilgrims and their colony. A replica of the Mayflower was in the harbor. It is unlikely the real Mayflower would have been so close to the shoreline as Plymouth harbor is one of the shallowest we have encountered. You have to carefully follow a narrow, dredged channel to get as close to the shore as the Mayflower II. At low tide Foreign Affair had less than a foot of water under her keel and we draw less than 6 feet compared to the Mayflower's 12 feet. The Pilgrims most likely ferried themselves and their goods ashore on a smaller vessel. The shallow harbor would also benefit the Pilgrims as it might keep pirate ships at bay. We don't realize hundreds of pirates were operating in the waters of the New World at this time.

Mayflower II

We were able to board the Mayflower II and talk to some of the Pilgrim reenactors. The most amazing thing to us was how tall the vessel was as we looked over its rails to the waterline. Those aboard would definitely be seasick in any kind of heavy weather. The conditions aboard were terrible and those willing to suffer the voyage had to really want to leave Europe or were accepting of the trials facing them as being the will of God. 102 Pilgrims and a crew of about 30 sailed from Plymouth, England and landed in America after more than two months at sea. By the end of the first year, half the Pilgrims had died. Despite given the opportunity to return to Europe, the survivors stayed on in the New World and were later joined by other colonists in Plymouth Colony.


Plymouth rock was buried in a wharf many years ago. What we see today is a small piece of what was alleged to be the rock upon which the first Pilgrim stepped upon when coming coming ashore. An information sign at the site of the monument preserving Plymouth Rock tells the history of the rock. What we have today to view is  not very impressive to say the least. It is what it is. Even our picture of the rock is a poor one.

Plymouth Rock

The Pilgrim Hall Museum provided a very good explanation of who the Pilgrims were, why they came to America and how they interacted with Native Americans and other nearby colonists. The museum contained numerous articles which belonged to the Pilgrims or were of the period. It was well worth the visit.

Our final stop was the Edward Winslow house which was built in the 18th Century by the great-grandson of the Pilgrim Edward Winslow. It is now the headquarters for the Mayflower Society. The house has evolved over time and the docent was careful to explain what was original, what was modified and what was added to make the house what it is today. One of the more interesting aspects of the house was its floating staircase and entrance hall. It was an interesting tour of about one hour.