One of the most interesting landmarks that you will find in Massachusetts, is the iconic Plymouth Rock. It is free to visit, and you can walk right over to the viewing deck area by the road. This is a place worth seeing, especially if you enjoy learning about early American history.

Today, this iconic spot is located at 79 Water Street, Plymouth, MA 02360 right in the Pilgrim Memorial State Park.

The rock is comprised of a granite slab, and has the year 1620 etched on top of it. Plymouth Rock is well known and quite famous, because according to tradition and legend, it was what the Pilgrims first stepped upon into their entrance to the United States from the Mayflower.

https://www.mass.gov/locations/pilgrim-memorial-state-park

When we visited Massachusetts, it was important to us to really immerse ourselves into the history of the region, and connect to how the roots of this country was formed. Plymouth, Massachusetts was the first colony from England in the New England region.

(The Plymouth Colony was the third permanent colony in America after Newfoundland and the Jamestown Colony.)  This area is also very well known for its in depth folklore, history, and culture.

As you meander through the Pilgrim Memorial State Park to see the Plymouth Rock, you will encounter many other historical sites along the way that are dedicated to the first Pilgrims and their journey here.

You will find several very prominent statues around the park that stand out, the most notable are Massasoit and William Bradford, who both had an immense impact on the beginning of the country. Massasoit was a chief of the Wampanoag Confederacy (located in modern day Massachusetts and Rhode Island) and is known for the peace treaty that he had signed with the Pilgrims in March 1621.

Although sometimes strained, the treaty was honored by both sides until after his death, and the King Phillips War, which occurred from 1675 to 1678. The Wampanoag Confederacy was the most powerful and political force in this area before the onset of disease brought from Europeans, which they did not have immunity against.

The confederacy’s name meant “People of the first light” or “People of the dawn” since they lived along the Eastern coast and claimed to be the first to see the sun rise every day. These individuals had also lived here for thousands of years before the Europeans, and had their own communities and way of life. It is important to respect their history, since they truly were the first natives in this land.

William Bradford was one of the original settlers in Plymouth, Massachusetts, and was extremely influential in setting up their early systems of government. He spent about 30 years involved in this, and was even commissioner of the United Colonies of New England for multiple occasions. He also had extensive writings about the early beginnings of the colonies, and chronicled the Pilgrim ventures that we still utilize today to comprehend the daily life of a person from this time period.

After you explore the Pilgrim Memorial State Park a bit, you will want to see the Plymouth Rock itself! You can find it right on the side of the bay in an open air portico. At one time, the rock was known to be quite larger, but it has been moved over the years, which has impacted the size of it.

At its current size, the Plymouth Rock is about 10 tons, which includes the lower and upper parts of it. It is estimated that in 1620 it would have been much larger, and could have potentially been up to 40 to 200 tons in its weight. When you look out to the bay from the rock, it is very beautiful, and you will see various boats on the waterfront.

Since we are talking about boats, as you gaze across the Plymouth Bay, you will see a very impressive one docked at the side. This is the Mayflower II museum. The Mayflower II is a full reproduction of the first Mayflower ship, and is currently a working vessel and floating classroom. We found it really interesting to go under the deck to learn more about the journey and voyage the first Pilgrims had went on, and how they managed to live on the ship!

https://plimoth.org/plan-your-visit/hours-tickets-directions

If you have a little extra time after visiting the Plymouth Rock, and the Mayflower II, I highly recommend taking a short walk to check out the Pilgrim Maiden Statue, which is located within walking distance at the Brewster Gardens (30 Water Street). The park is very beautifully landscaped with a nice stream that runs through it, and the Pilgrim Maiden stands in true elegance. This statue was erected in 1924 by the National Society of New England Women, and has a dedication to the English women who had so much courage exploring a new land.

When you travel to the New England area, you must visit this place in Massachusetts. Historically, it has had such an impact on the United States as a whole, and it is a really interesting and thought provoking spot as well. I am really excited to kick off this Massachusetts series with you all. In it, we will explore the region more in depth, and visit the landmarks that stand the test of time, and are iconic in their own right. I hope that you are having a wonderful day, and remember to click the like and subscribe button!

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Additional Resources-

The Best Things To Do In Plymouth Massachusetts

Boston Public Garden

The Best Landmarks To Visit In Boston Massachusetts

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Plymouth-Rock-United-States-history

https://www.britannica.com/biography/William-Bradford-Plymouth-colony-governor

https://www.worldhistory.org/Massasoit/

NortheastAllie

For generations, my family has lived in the Philadelphia area, and my writing reflects these influences. This blog explores perspectives on life, encouragement, travel, health, and local living.

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