Visiting Plymouth Rock is worth it if you’re in the area and have some time to debunk history. When I visited, I had no idea there was so much controversy about this rock. It’s a rock, after all. I was surprised to learn so many stories about it, the surrounding area, and the people who once lived there.
But first, is there anyone who was a kid in the 80s who can hear “Plymouth Rock” and not think of “Fraggle Rock” while the song plays in your head? Clap twice if you know what I’m talking about.
Why Plymouth Rock is Famous
Chances are you’ve heard of Plymouth Rock, but like me, you’re unsure of why. Plymouth Rock is one of those questionable U.S. History facts our old schoolbooks used to teach.
Just over 100 passengers and 30 crew packed themselves onto the Mayflower ship in 1620. They left England on a 66-day voyage across the ocean blue before arriving in Plymouth Harbor. Then, these pilgrims stepped off the boat and onto the rock to reach land. But did they?
Plymouth Rock is famous for what it stands for to Americans – bravery, freedom, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Unfortunately, the crew didn’t find much of the latter for some time. There was much suffering and many hard times to come first.
1. Did the Pilgrims Land on Plymouth Rock?
According to oral history, the pilgrims anchored the Mayflower and used Plymouth Rock to step onto the shore. But there’s a lot of debate about whether that could possibly be true.
Fun Fact: Plymouth Rock is an actual rock big enough to hold about three people, so theoretically, it could be true.
If you take the time to read all the signs along the Plymouth boardwalk, which I did, you’ll learn that no written historical records refer to Plymouth Rock. The first mention of the rock in writing didn’t occur until 1715 when town officials mentioned the “great rock” in boundary records.
The oral history started with Thomas Faunce in 1741. At that time, he was 94 years old and claimed his elders told him about the rock landing. His story about the pilgrims disembarking onto the rock was taken at face value and continued to be passed down. But, in later years, many questioned that story.
“The one thing the Pilgrims certainly did not do was step ashore on Plymouth Rock,” Writer Bill Bryson wrote. He and others argue that it would have been an impractical landing spot. I agree, but it’s not like there were docks they could step onto. A big rock seems as good a place as any when it’s that or the water.
Plymouth Rock
The debate may stem from the fact that the rock isn’t as big as you might imagine. It’s currently about 10 tons, but historians estimate it would have been twice that size in 1620 if not more. Over the years, it has worn down and in 1774, the rock even broke in half when town officials tried to haul it to a different location. Today, small pieces of the rock exist in various places. But the two biggest chucks were eventually reattached – put back in the harbor where it came from, and the date, “1620,” was etched onto its face – lest we confuse it with another gigantic rock.
Today, confusing the rock for any other is impossible. It is covered beneath a granite canopy with a park official standing nearby. All day long, people walk up and look down into the hole where the rock has been caged. After two minutes, they walk away.
Whether the pilgrims stepped onto this actual rock or not is irrelevant to me. The rock was surely there when they arrived and it’s still there today, standing as a symbol of bravery, hard work, and liberty – it doesn’t get more American than that.
Aside from the rock, there are plenty of other things to do and see in the area.
2. Pilgrim Memorial State Park
Of the 130 people on the Mayflower, only one died at sea. That first New England winter, however, would claim the lives of half. Now, the area surrounding the rock is known as Pilgrim Memorial State Park. The Department of Conservation and Recreation for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts manages it and staff guides tell visitors like me plenty of stories.
This waterfront park includes the rock and a Mayflower ship replica, a museum, a shopping district and other features to keep visitors entertained for an entire day. Indeed, more than one million people visit each year.
3. Mayflower II
If you want to know about the pilgrims, your best bet is to head to the Mayflower II replica ship. It’s a replica of the cargo ship that carried the Pilgrims across the Atlantic. Yes, cargo ship. The cargo, in this case, happened to be people. The original ship and the replica are just 80 feet long and 24 feet wide. Passengers had to spend the 66-day voyage below deck crammed together. One woman was so pregnant she gave birth as soon as they arrived – can you imagine?
The Mayflower II was a gift from the U.K. to the U.S. in 1957. It’s now a museum and working classroom that tells visitors all about the journey. It’s so accurate a portrayal of the original ship that it’s on the National Register of Historic Places.
4. Cole’s Hill
Take a walk up to the top of the hill behind the harbor. It’s called Cole’s Hill and has the best view of the harbor you’re likely to get. Stairs built into the hillside make it easy – unlike the steep hike I took before noticing the stairs. Cole’s Hill is a National Historic Site named after the first person who settled on it – James Cole (1600— 1692). This is where the pilgrims made an Agreement of Peace with the Wampanoag people.
5. The Statue of Massasoit, a Wampanoag Leader
The Wampanoag people were the native, indigenous people who lived in Plymouth before the colonists arrived. Much like the history of Jamestown, the Wampanoag were one of many Nations living on the continent before Europeans arrived. It’s likely the help from these native people that any settlers survived at all. They helped the settlers and taught them about the land. In return, the Europeans traded with them and shared skills, but it was at a high cost. An estimated 70% of the Wampanoag people died from European diseases. Likewise, about half of the Europeans died from the harsh conditions that first winter in the New World.
A sculpture at the top of Cole’s Hill represents the Pokanoket leader Massasoit. It shows the leader on the first Thanksgiving as they enjoyed their first harvest, thanks to the Massasoit who taught them about the crops.
Fun Fact: If the statue looks familiar, it’s because several replicas of it exist across the United States.
6. Pilgrim Sarcophagus
You’ll find the Pilgrim Sarcophagus a short distance from the Massasoit statue. Of the nearly half of the English colonists and sailors who perished during the first winter, many were buried or reinterred here in this mass grave atop Cole’s Hill.
The sarcophagus is also a memorial. Imagery and printed text along the four large sides tell of the many difficulties the pilgrims encountered that first season. The names of 47 Pilgrims are etched on it.
7. Leyden Street is the Oldest
After all that grim history, you may need to take a break. If so, you’re in the right place; just up the block is Leyden Street. It was the first residential street in the colony. Back then, it was accordingly named First Street, and it’s where many pilgrims built homes. It’s said to be the oldest continuously used English street in America. Continue toward Market Street and the square to find a few places to rest and refuel.
Many shops and businesses near the Plymouth boardwalk are faux historic and sell pilgrim-style trinkets and old-fashioned toys for the kids. There’s also an active watersports and beach theme for the many boats filling the harbor. Outdoor dining and cafes line the street overlooking the harbor.
If you Visit Plymouth Rock
You’ll find Plymouth Rock at 79 Water St., Plymouth, MA. Street parking is metered, and I had no trouble getting a spot, but the time is limited to two hours. There are also parking garages just off the boardwalk. Spending two to four hours should be plenty of time to see everything.
Read more stories about Massachusetts here.
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