Jill's Journal: Another day, another phenomenal "field trip." Today we headed to Plimoth Plantation, which is a recreation of the village of Plymouth in 1627, seven years after the
Mayflower landed. The extensive recreation includes an entire rebuild of the whole village, complete with gardens and animals. The Pilgrims who survived those seven years are all recreated as well, with interpretive actors who are AMAZING. Each one or family has their own house with all the furnishings and personal possessions recreated also, right down to hygiene articles and fresh crumbs on a plate.
These recreated Pilgrims go about their daily tasks, such as cooking, cleaning, gardening, crop-tending, etc., just as they would have in 1627. Visitors are welcome to mingle or just watch, but these people do not break character, right down to their authentic British accents and proper speak of the time. They have completely taken on the persona of America’s first immigrants, including their life histories and viewpoints (and names).
Seeing how the Pilgrims lived brought history alive for the girls. The people supposed the girls had traveled a great distance from a foreign land as they didn’t recognize their accents and had no idea what or where Kentucky was (because of course they didn’t in 1627!), although it sounded like an Indian land to them. They asked how our journey was and told us how difficult it was to travel so far from England on a cramped ship. This was at the beginning of our time in Plimoth and I made some crack about waiting 400 years because it would become a lot easier. I was immediately chided – these extremely devoted religious people thought that sacrilege, as Christ would surely come again long before 400 years had passed since times had gotten so difficult.
Talking to the Pilgrims was a wonderful experience. They talked about their fears of attack from the “naturals” (Indians) and the French (who were settling up north) when I asked why each man had a breastplate in his home. They talked about their hopes and dreams. And they all commented how blessed this “good mistress” was to have three daughters survive to young childhood because it would be a great help in running my household.
Susanna Winslow, a prominent Pilgrim wife, welcomed us into her home and was kind enough to teach Erika how to make beds of the time. They brought the bedding in from airing out for the day while Madelyn swept the dirt floor. She shared her Bible with me and when her husband stopped in, he was pleased to hear I could both read and write (and that my husband allowed me to!) and that our daughters were learning as well. They wanted to make sure we had shelter as the “night air” could be hard on lungs.
Our time in 1627 Plymouth was truly magical.
A short walk from the village is a recreated Wamponoag homesite. The people here are historic as well, but in a different way. They are modern Native Americans from the area and are also going about daily tasks as they’ve been passed down for generations. They are dressed in the clothing of their heritage and are happy to share what they’re working on with three little girls. Although she doesn’t look friendly, the woman in the photo took a shine to the girls and was very kind.
Jill's Journal: Another day, another phenomenal "field trip." Today we headed to Plimoth Plantation, which is a recreation of the village of Plymouth in 1627, seven years after the Mayflower landed. The extensive recreation includes an entire rebuild of the whole village, complete with gardens and animals. The Pilgrims who survived those seven years are all recreated as well, with interpretive actors who are AMAZING. Each one or family has their own house with all the furnishings and personal possessions recreated also, right down to hygiene articles and fresh crumbs on a plate. 
These recreated Pilgrims go about their daily tasks, such as cooking, cleaning, gardening, crop-tending, etc., just as they would have in 1627. Visitors are welcome to mingle or just watch, but these people do not break character, right down to their authentic British accents and proper speak of the time. They have completely taken on the persona of America’s first immigrants, including their life histories and viewpoints (and names). 
Seeing how the Pilgrims lived brought history alive for the girls. The people supposed the girls had traveled a great distance from a foreign land as they didn’t recognize their accents and had no idea what or where Kentucky was (because of course they didn’t in 1627!), although it sounded like an Indian land to them. They asked how our journey was and told us how difficult it was to travel so far from England on a cramped ship. This was at the beginning of our time in Plimoth and I made some crack about waiting 400 years because it would become a lot easier. I was immediately chided – these extremely devoted religious people thought that sacrilege, as Christ would surely come again long before 400 years had passed since times had gotten so difficult. 
Talking to the Pilgrims was a wonderful experience. They talked about their fears of attack from the “naturals” (Indians) and the French (who were settling up north) when I asked why each man had a breastplate in his home. They talked about their hopes and dreams. And they all commented how blessed this “good mistress” was to have three daughters survive to young childhood because it would be a great help in running my household. 
Susanna Winslow, a prominent Pilgrim wife, welcomed us into her home and was kind enough to teach Erika how to make beds of the time. They brought the bedding in from airing out for the day while Madelyn swept the dirt floor. She shared her Bible with me and when her husband stopped in, he was pleased to hear I could both read and write (and that my husband allowed me to!) and that our daughters were learning as well. They wanted to make sure we had shelter as the “night air” could be hard on lungs. 
Our time in 1627 Plymouth was truly magical. 
A short walk from the village is a recreated Wamponoag homesite. The people here are historic as well, but in a different way. They are modern Native Americans from the area and are also going about daily tasks as they’ve been passed down for generations. They are dressed in the clothing of their heritage and are happy to share what they’re working on with three little girls. Although she doesn’t look friendly, the woman in the photo took a shine to the girls and was very kind.
2 comments:
How exciting!! I want to visit this place with Liz! I love hearing of your adventures, I'm making my list up of things I want to see someday!!
If you ever make it to NC and decide to visit the Biltmore, let me know and I might meet you! I just read a book based on when it was built and it sounds amazing! My list of things to do and see is growing so much from your adventure! LOL
Love you girls (& guy)!!
Miss Gretchen, you know me better than that...OF COURSE Biltmore is on the agenda! Maybe late this winter or spring? Sometime in the next year anyway...I'll give you a heads-up when we know. Doing it together would be FUN!!
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