2020 marks the 400th anniversary of the Pilgrims' Mayflower voyage and the founding of Plymouth Colony. The exciting Pilgrim story reveals how God worked through a relatively small but dedicated group of believers to gain freedom of religion. The world owes a debt of gratitude to these impressive men and women who sacrificed their all for the freedom to worship God.
“As one small candle may light a thousand, so the light here kindled hath shone unto many, yea in some sort to our whole nation; let the glorious name of Jehovah have all the praise.”
William Bradford
ABOUT
PLYMOUTH, MA
Plymouth is filled with meaningful history. The town is home to the Mayflower II, Plymouth Rock,
and many memorial statues and stones remembering the Pilgrims. In addition there are
interesting gift shops that sell trinkets, videos, and books relating to the Pilgrims.
From the waterfront, walk up Plymouth's first street, Leyden Street, named after the Pilgrims' prior residence in Leyden, Holland.
The street goes straight up to the First Church in Plymouth, and the old Town Center
When the first meetinghouse was finished, the Pilgrims began building houses. Due to the time of year, they had to build as quickly and efficiently as possible. Using the meetinghouse as a guide, they laid out the plan for the “plantation.” There were nineteen families and a few single men. Each family was to build a house for itself on a pre-determined lot. The houses were built along the Town Brook from the meetinghouse easterly toward the water. The lots created one street, eventually named Leyden Street.
Cole's Hill
Cole's Hill displays several statues and memorials of special significance, including the Sarcophagus listing all the names of those who died during the first year in Plymouth and Massasoit's statue.
Court Street
Pilgrim Hall Museum
The Museum
Filled with information and artifacts, this museum is a must-see for anyone interested in studying the Pilgrim history. From William Brewster’s Chair to William Bradford’s Bible, the Museum puts one in close connection with the Pilgrims and their lifestyle.
Burial Hill
As one of America’s oldest cemeteries, Burial Hill offers a unique perspective of the lives and deaths of the early settlers.
The sign at the entrance reads, “Here, Mayflower passengers are buried including Governor William Bradford and William & Mary Brewster.”
Burial Hill is also the location of the first fort/meeting house of the Pilgrims, built in 1621. It is interesting to realize that these great people of God walked, worshiped and died right here.