Plymouth Favorites

Favorite thing: Being such a historical place, Plymouth has lots of other monuments and important places which I haven't seen. I should have done my homework better before my trip!
The statute in this picture is probably of lesser importance. But, in case you notice it standing in Water St. almost opposite the Mayflower II and wonder about it, it is the Pilgrim Mother Statue. It was a gift from Daughters of the American Revolution in 1921 to celebrate the 300's anniversary of the First Thanksgiving.

Favorite thing: At Water & North Sts. in a landscaped enclosure near Plymouth Rock on the grounds of the Mayflower society is the granite statue of a woman, which has come to be known as The Pilgrim Mother. The sculptor was Paul 0. Jennewein.

On the shaft of the fountain that flows behind the Statue are listed the names of the women of the Mayflower in whose memory the National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution gave the statue for the 1921 tercentenary celebration. The inscription reads; They brought up their families in sturdy virtue and a living faith in God without which nations perish

Fondest memory: My mom had come here to do some geneological research and she told me to look for the statue when I came with my two older daughters and their friend.

But a picture on the Orange County Mayflower Colony Pilgrim Monuments page has a picture of two statues (one of them this one), but names are reversed. That site calls this the Pilgrim maiden statue. But the actual Pilgrim maiden statue is in Brewster Gardens and is bronze, which this one clearly is not.

The 'other' statue of the Pilgrim Maiden was sculpted by H.H. Kitson was presented to the town by the National Society of New England Women. It is inscribed: To those intrepid English women whose courage, fortitude and devotion brought a new nation into being, this statue of the Pilgrim Maiden is dedicated.

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Favorite thing: When we moved to Lexington Mass in the summer of 1970, none of the kids on the street where we were renting a house would play with my kids, and my kids were too shy to just walk up and join in. So I did a lot of other things with my children that summer and that included an August trip to Plymouth.

Fondest memory: I remember going to Plymouth as a child and seeing the rock under its canopy at the edge of the water. So we did that, and also visited the grounds of the Mayflower Society.

But first we went to the Plimouth Plantation and visited the recreated 1627 village.

Then I drove to the town proper and parked, and we boarded the Mayflower II so they could see the size of the ship that the colonists came to this country on.

The picture shows the ratlines, which are the things that the sailors use to climb into the rigging. At the top of the mast is the crows nest.

Favorite thing: Azzie, like most of the young boys, loved the canons. One of the costumed guides told us that the guns were the only thing that separated them from the savages!! We thought that was a pretty outrageous thing to say....probably authentic, tho.

Favorite thing: A trip to Plymouth isn't complete without going to the reproduction village...known as Plimoth Plantation. It's like walking through the 1600's and talking to the early settlers. These reproduction villages are excellent for school children when they are doing their American History classes, but they also make a wonderful afternoon for adults as well.

Favorite thing: When visiting Plymouth, you really need to include the Mayflower as an added tour. It's ideal if you have school children...but I never tire of the stories myself. There are costumed guides aboard the ship who are very helpful. My friend's son, Azzie had lots to talk about with them...after his lessons at school. It was very helpful in making his lessons come alive. He was enraptured.

Favorite thing: The interiors of the homes in Plimoth Plantation fill only very basic needs. Costumed guides answer questions about cooking and life in the plantation...some will discuss cooking, while others will discuss the business of governing the colony and dealing with England.

Favorite thing: Day trip to Plymouth just before Thanksgiving seems to make sense. We toured the MayflowerII as well as the Plimoth Plantation. A quick peek at the Plymouth Rock. There is also a modern day business district if you care to do shopping...or find a restaurant.
The costumed docents aboard the ship were very helpful in explaining what life was like for the families living in such a small space w/ diminishing rations.