Paddling the local waterways was a way of life for the Native Wampanoag and Colonial English people of the 17th century. This July, join Plimoth Plantation’s Native and Colonial maritime staff for an exciting water adventure modeled after the trips taken by those who traveled before us, as the museum presents the Paddle at Patuxet! For this historic inspired adventure, participants will paddle into Plymouth Bay, escorted by Native mishoons (dugout canoes) along with Mayflower II’s Ships’ Boat, an exploring paddleboat like one that would have been used by the Pilgrims in the 1600s. Those joining the expedition are invited to take a kayak, canoe or any other form of hand-propelled boat along for this exciting and educational paddling adventure, followed by a traditional Wampanoag Clambake back at Plimoth Plantation at 4 p.m.
“When people think about Plimoth Plantation’s maritime program, most automatically reflect on Mayflower II and her famous story,” Richard Pickering, Plimoth Plantation’s deputy executive, said. However, before this area was called Plymouth, it was known for thousands of years as Patuxet, a place where the Wampanoag people experienced and enjoyed an extremely rich maritime history worthy of exploring today.”
The paddling adventure
Paddle at Patuxet participants have two choices when joining this exploration of the local historic waterways. Both groups will depart at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 10. Led by Native paddlers in mishoons, the first group of canoers and kayakers will paddle out from the Wampanoag Homesite on the banks of the Eel River, out to where the mouth of the Eel River meets Plymouth Bay. There, the paddlers will meet up with the Colonial Maritime Program, scheduled to depart at 10 a.m. from Plymouth’s Stephen’s Field. Together, the groups will paddle to a small public beach inside Plymouth Bay. There, the collective group will take a break on the beach, and receive a snack, while the Colonial and Native staff take questions about the trip and things related to 17th-century maritime history and this area. After a brief respite, the group will paddle back, doing a circuit around Plymouth Bay, finally concluding the paddling portion of the day back at Stephen’s Field at approximately 2:30 p.m.
The traditional Wampanoag clambake
The excitement continues at 4 p.m., as the Paddle At Patuxet adventurers attend a traditional Wampanoag Cclambake and social event back at Plimoth Plantation. Although the clambake is in honor of the paddlers, it is not necessary to be a part of the paddling adventure to attend the traditional clambake. The entire event is $49 per person. Reservations are required and should be made, by contacting Janet at 508-746-1622, ext. 8358.
Plimoth Plantation is a 17th-century living history museum located an hour south of Boston in Plymouth, (Exit 4, Route 3 south) and 20 minutes north of Cape Cod. The museum is a private, non-profit, educational institution supported by admission fees, contributions, memberships, function sales and revenue from our dining programs/services and museum shops. Plimoth Plantation is a Smithsonian Institution Affiliate and receives support from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, The Federal Institute of Museums and Library Services, The National Endowment for the Humanities, private foundations, corporations, and local businesses. For more information visit www.plimoth.org.
