Tag: Pilgrim Memorial

Pilgrim Memorial State Park

On By nationalparkswithtIn Massachusetts5 Comments
Welcome back to National Parks and other public lands with T!

New England Road Trip➤

Patty and I hit the road again in April 2023. We planned to visit a friend in Rhode Island and attend a meetup of the National Park Travelers Club in Massachusetts. Along the way we hit several other National Park Units and historic sites. We spent one morning exploring Cape Cod. In the afternoon, we headed to Pilgrim Memorial State Park.

Pilgrim Memorial State Park➤

Pilgrim Memorial State Park in Plymouth, Massachusetts commemorates the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock in 1620 and their role in shaping American history. The park serves as a tribute to the legacy of the Pilgrims and also of the Wampanoag. Recognizing the Wampanoag alongside the Pilgrims helps to present a more inclusive and accurate portrayal of the history of Plymouth Colony and the broader story of early American settlement.

Visitors to Pilgrim Memorial State Park can embark on a self-guided walking tour to explore the various monuments, markers, and historic sites within the park. The Monuments and Memorials Walking Tour has nine stops. Patty’s husband was from Plymouth so she is familiar with the area. Nevertheless, we followed the guide, making the following stops

  • Mayflower II – A full scale replica of the Pilgrims’ ship.
  • Plymouth Rock – Marks the approximate spot of the Mayflower’s landing. The date wasn’t inscribed until a century later, so this may not be THE rock.
  • Pilgrim Mother Fountain – Only 5 of the adult women survived the first year in Plymouth.
  • Cole’s Hill – The Colonists and the Wampanoag made the Agreement of Peace here.
  • The Statue of Massasoit – The Massasoit were the first allies of the settlers.
  • National Day of Mourning – Native Americans have gathered here every Thanksgiving since 1970 to mourn the tragedies experienced by indigenous people.
  • Pilgrim Sarcophagus – The remains of the 47 Pilgrims who died are interred here.
  • Leyden Street – The oldest continuously used street in America.
  • Governor Bradford Statue – William Bradford served as governor for most of the early days of the Plymouth Colony

New England Posts➤

Location: 79 Water St, Plymouth, Massachusetts
Designation: State Park
Date designated/established: 1920
Date of my visit: April 14, 2023