Thanksgiving is a favorite holiday at our house. We have read several books about the Mayflower’s journey across the Atlantic and life in colonial Plimoth.
Since it was Sunday, we thought we would have church with the Pilgrims but after asking about it at the welcome desk, we found out it’s never Sunday at Plimoth Plantation because they basically would have attended church and done nothing else the rest of the day. That wouldn’t make for a very fun trip for the tourists.
We had beautiful blue skies as we walked through the Wampanoag Homesite and on to the village where the Pilgrims settled. It was fun talking with the “residents” about their journey and life. William Bradford, governor of the colony, was amusingly upset when we asked him about the recent issues concerning another resident’s attempt to hold a church service apart from the sanctioned service.
The women of the settlement offered us a look into how very difficult day to day life was in the village but they were still full of hope for their future.
Below are amusing conversations we had with residents:
SuzAnne: Are you Governor William Bradford?
Bradford: I am mistress. Do we have business?
SuzAnne: No. I just wanted to meet THE William Bradford.
Bradford: Well, mistress, we have met.
SuzAnne: I don’t see any outhouses.
Maidservant: I don’t know what that is.
SuzAnne: Bathroom?
Maidservant: I don’t know… You mean, how do we relieve ourselves?
SuzAnne: Yes.
Maidservant: Well, in the winter and evenings we use chamber pots.
SuzAnne: But you sleep in one room so… with no privacy?
Maidservant: Yes.
SuzAnne: So…where outside?
Maidservant: Usually in the compost pile.
SuzAnne: In the open in front of everyone?
Maidservant: Yes…but I try to be dainty about it.
(Please note that the staff are actors who stay in character. This is what the settlers did, not the current day actors on site.)
Older Pilgrim Daughter: On our journey over, a terrible tempest arose and lasted for two weeks. We were very much afraid but knew we would probably be safe because God favors England.
After we left the Plantation, we went to modern day Plymouth where we had an amazing meal at East Bay Grille that we won’t soon forget. We then found Plymouth Rock before heading home.
It was an amazing day.
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