A fictionalized account of the founding of Plimoth Plantation,
as seen through the eyes of three children who came to the New
World on the Mayflower, is packed full of interesting tidbits
of information.
Q: Why did the Pilgrims want to sail to America in the
spring? Answer
The Pilgrims owed their lives to an English speaking native
they called Squanto,
who both translated for them with Massasoit and helped negotiate
the first Indian treaty, but who also taught the Pilgrims how
to cultivate and harvest native foods. He was generous with his
knowledge, teaching the Pilgrims survival skills in this new
land. I think Squanto would like the Web if he could reappear.
We are generous with our knowledge here, as well.
Here's how Squanto taught the Pilgrims to grow corn,
you can try it, too.
When the leaves of the oak tree are
as big as a mouse's ear [You know how little they are,
right?], put three or four corn seeds on
little mounds.
Put three fish on the mound, too, arranged
evenly with their mouths toward the seeds. [These days
we buy fish emulsion at the garden store.]
The fish will feed the corn as the corn
will feed you, with meal for bread and pudding. [Look
on the labels of food cans and boxes. Which ones can you find
that have "corn" or "corn-something" in them?
Hint: look on a Jell-O Pudding box.]
Guard your cornfields, for the wolves
will try to steal the fish. [Today it would probably be
the local cats, who will dig up your corn, looking for the fish
that smells so good -- to them. You'll not like the smell!].
We used a wad of cotton balls
and a bit of leftover dinner fish or fish emulsion to duplicate
this method of growing corn. Put wet cotton in two clean jars
(Peanut butter or mayonnaise jars will do.). Into one bury the
bit of fish. Put 3-4 corn seeds from your local plant nursery
on each wad of cotton. Label the jars "Fish" and "No
Fish." Make a guess which corn will grow tallest. Put a
star on that label.
Close the jars, and put in a bathroom, or other dark room
that you visit occasionally, until the seeds begin to sprout.
Then you can move them to a sunny window sill. Keep your cats
away! Check with your finger to see if the cotton is starting
to feel dry. Add just enough water so the cotton feels damp,
not soggy. Measure the height of the sprouting corn each day.
Which grows faster?
John
Alden Museum
The most noted romance among the Pilgrims was between John Alden
and Priscilla Mullins. Their home is the last remaining structure
built by the colonists. House gif from this site.
Mayflower: Deconstructed
History Channel video. How many people were on the Mayflower? And how long did it take for them to get to Plymouth? Get the facts. Other historical videos also available.
Mayflower History
Possibly the most complete site for source documentation, especially
great for those tracing family trees.
The Pilgrims
and Plymouth Colony:1620
Within these webpages are some lesson plans that are being made
available to assist you in the instruction of topics relating
to the Mayflower journey and Plymouth Colony.
Plimoth on the Web
Take a Virtual Tour of Plimoth Plantation if you can't visit
the museum in person.
Plymouth Rock
Here is a stone which the feet of a few outcasts pressed for
an instant; and the stone becomes famous; it is treasured by
a great nation; its very dust is shared as a relic. Alexis De
Tocqueville, Democracy in America, 1835. Unfortunately, as Plymouth Rock increased in fame, it began to decrease in size under the hands of souvenir hunters.
Plymouth
Rock
The fact of its identity has been transmitted from father to
son, particularly in the instance of Elder Faunce and his father,
as would be the richest inheritance, by unquestionable tradition.
The Scarlet Letter
The full novel, online. "On the breast of her gown, in fine
red cloth, surrounded with an elaborate embroidery and fantastic
flourishes of gold thread, appeared the letter A. It was so artistically
done, and with so much fertility and gorgeous luxuriance of fancy,
that it had all the effect of a last and fitting decoration to
the apparel which she wore; and which was of a splendor in accordance
with the taste of the age, but greatly beyond what was allowed
by the sumptuary regulations of the colony."
Thanksgiving
on the Net: Roast Bull with Cranberry Sauce
Setting people straight about Thanksgiving myths has become as
much a part of the annual holiday as turkey, cranberry sauce,
and pumpkin pie. But should historians bother? by Dr. Jeremy
D. Bangs, Director, Leiden American Pilgrim Museum.
Answer to riddle at the top of the
page: Because April showers bring May flowers!
The popular myth of the first Thanksgiving--that brave peaceful
settlers in 1621 invited a few wild Indians over for dinner--gets
overthrown in this handsome, large-size photo-essay that combines
bright, colorful pageantry with hard historical fact.
Ann McGovern's simple text introduces children to the struggles
of the Pilgrims during their first year at Plymouth Colony and
the events leading to the historic occasion we celebrate today.
We used a wad of cotton balls
and a bit of leftover dinner fish or fish emulsion to duplicate
this method of growing corn. Put wet cotton in two clean jars
(Peanut butter or mayonnaise jars will do.). Into one bury the
bit of fish. Put 3-4 corn seeds from your local plant nursery
on each wad of cotton. Label the jars "Fish" and "No
Fish." Make a guess which corn will grow tallest. Put a
star on that label.
