Plymouth's history begins at the Rock. The area's history predates its modern era by many centuries with its occupation by native people. But Plymouth the settlement and eventually the town was born in 1620 by seperatist Englishmen who sought a place to practice their religion free of the Church of England. More settlers followed, the colony expanded with Boston as its center, and Plymouth became less important in the bigger picture.
But Plymouth in that first generation of settlement was home to a mighty demonstration of determination, hard work and the most basic of all needs - survival. Plymouth developed in many ways and directions. It became home to immigrants of all stripes and fostered industries born of its proximity to the sea and eventually rail. Many Plymoutheans have called the town their home for many generations. The modern story, however, begins almost 400 years ago, when a small ship filled with a hundred foreigners dropped anchor within the harbor. Winter was upon them, and their fight for survival set the stage for the decades to come.
Enter the sites listed here, and begin your adventure in Plymouth as the Pilgrims began theirs.
OCM Editor Tamson Burgess was a recent guest with About.com and presented the commentary for the website's Historical Tour of Plymouth video.
Park Plymouth has announced that free-parking season resumed Dec. 1 and is effective though March 31. Remember to park lawfully, as all timed zones and restricted areas will continue to be enforced.
Pilgrim's Progress will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 24, leaving the Mayflower Society House on Winslow Street and follow the traditional route with one police cruiser in the front of the procession and another at the rear. There will be no street closings for this event. National Day of Mourning participants will form at the top of Cole's Hill beginning at noon Nov. 24. The march will begin at approximately 1:30 p.m.
The MBTA and Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Company have announced that commuter rail service will be restored on the Old Colony (Plymouth/Kingston and Middleborough/Lakeville branches) and Greenbush lines for Thanksgiving weekend. A Sunday schedule will be in effect Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 24.
Plymouth police have issued the following advisory regarding traffic and parking restrictions for Saturday, Nov. 19, as a result of the America’s Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration parade and other festivities and events.
Bulletin board listings can be emailed to ocm@wickedlocal.com, faxed to 508-591-6601, mailed to or dropped off at Old Colony Memorial, 182 Standish Ave., Plymouth, MA 02360.
Read about what's happening in and around Plymouth.
The Town of Plymouth will open a hurricane shelter at the Plymouth South Middle School (488 Long Pond Road) beginning this Sunday morning at 8 A.M. at the Plymouth South Middle School.
Lifeguard coverage has ended for the summer season in Plymouth at Fresh Pond, White Horse Beach and Hedges Pond and will end Sunday, Aug. 28, at Morton Park. Lifeguards will remain on duty on Plymouth Beach through Labor Day.
