Looking for a fun way to create memories with the family this coming vacation? Put Plimoth Plantation’s hands-on-history on the short list of destinations this February vacation with a week of do-it-yourself family fun activities for folks ages 5 and up.
“Our visitors want to have fun and get hands-on experience to make their vacation a memorable one. Our mission is to make that experience exciting and educational too,” said Richard Pickering, deputy executive director. “Plimoth Plantation has carefully planned five days of sessions and activities the whole family can enjoy together, to create long lasting memories for years to come.”
Programs will be offered daily, Monday through Friday, Feb. 15 through 19. Programs are $15 per person for one session (museum members are $12) and $25 per person for two sessions (museum members are $20).
Daily, an activity is offered in the morning, with an additional activity in the afternoon, and back by popular demand, our Rare Breed Animal Program is offered Friday morning of the vacation week. Most programs are designed for guests ages 5 and up, and it is encouraged that children be accompanied by at least one adult per group. Space is limited so reservations are also encouraged. For more information or to reserve a spot today, guests should call 508-746-1622, ext. 8346. Reservations are required.
Program descriptions, dates and times:
Make a Sweet Apple Tart
Join Plimoth Plantation for a hands-on workshop for ages 5 and up. In this session learn about 17th century tart and pie making from Colonial Foodways culinarian, Kathleen Wall. Learn to make pastry and roll out a crust, peel and slice apples, flavor with sugar and cinnamon, and create a tasty treat to bake at home. History never tasted so good. This workshop is for children accompanied by an adult.
Pen to Paper: A Colonial Letter Writing Workshop
Monday, Feb. 15, 12:30 to 3 p.m.
Communicate the old fashioned way. In the 17th century, writing letters was the only way to communicate with friends and family from afar. Join museum staff and delve into the world of the letter writing. During the workshop examine 17th century letters and language, learn to write with a quill and ink, make a “waste” book, and craft a beautiful letter, complete with wax seal. Plus, take a quill home to continue writing the Plimoth way.
Wampanoag Maritime and Model Fishnet Making Experience
Tuesday, Feb. 16, 9 to 11:30 a.m.
Come join the Wampanoag Program to learn about 17th century maritime techniques and discover how to make a traditional fishnet. Participants will handle fishing tools such as nets, spears, harpoons, hooks and weights that are still used by the Wampanoag people today and study how to make a model (scale version) of a Wampanoag tidal net, to complete at home. During the program learn about an historic mishoon (canoe) excursion to Martha’s Vineyard, undertaken in 2002 – a trip that hadn’t been done for at least 200 years. After watching a video of the trip, visit the Wampanoag Homesite with Native staff members to see an actual mishoon under construction, using fire as the primary tool. Also learn how Plimoth Plantation’s Wampanoag Program is planning a mishoon trip to Nantucket Island in the near future. This program is for children accompanied by an adult.
Create and Play With Cornhusks and Clay – Hands-On Native Crafts
Tuesday, Feb. 16, 12:30 to 3 p.m.
Participants will discover why corn is a vital part of the Wampanoag diet and material culture. During this program, create and take home an actual cornhusk doll; this Wampanoag tradition has always been a very important part of the culture. In addition, clay is a material of high value and importance to the Wampanoag people. They have used clay for thousands of years in producing anything from pots for cooking, pipes for smoking tobacco, beads and pendants for adornment, and even in food preparation and cooking. Participants will see examples of traditional clay objects used in Plimoth Plantation’s Native program, before creating clay beads and/or a small clay bowl to take home and fire with quick and easy directions. This program is for children accompanied by an adult.
Make a Model Boat
Wednesday, Feb. 17, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Let your imagination set sail in this fun “do it yourself” class, led by the Captain of Mayflower II, Peter Arenstam. People aged 5 and up will enjoy designing and building a model boat from pre-cut shapes provided. Participants will compare how their model boat sails with models of other 17th century vessels: an English shallop or a Native mishoon. This program is for children accompanied by an adult.
Sgraffito: Decorating a Clay Cup
Wednesday, Feb. 17, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Got an itch to be creative? Come scratch some pots. Sgraffito is really a popular technique of carving into a clay pot surface to create a two-toned design. Guided by staff artisans from the Museum’s Crafts Center, children and adults together, will learn traditional Colonial decorating techniques and carve their own designs into three pre-made cylinder cups. Dress for mess; old clothes are recommended. To accommodate glazing and firing, the completed functional pieces will be available for pickup after March 14 at Plimoth Plantation. This class is for children, but adults may participate as well.
Wampanoag Fun and Games
Thursday, Feb. 18, 9 to 11:30 a.m.
Come and have some Wampanoag fun. Take a turn playing a spirited and fun, traditional Wampanoag game called hubbub. Also play double ball, an energetic stick and ball game that was traditionally played during the spring, summer and fall. Next join Native staff members for a nature walk to see how Wampanoag people lived during the winter season. Taught by Wampanoag museum teachers, this program is for children, but adults may participate as well.
Colonial Games
Thursday, Feb. 18, 12:30 to 3 p.m.
Come spend a lively afternoon experiencing the lighter side of Colonial life. Participants will play Colonial games such as nine pins, troll my dame, and hunting a deer in my lord’s park; make their own authentic rag ball to take home; test their wits with 17th century riddles; and learn a colonial country dance. Fun for kids of all ages, however adults may participate as well.
Make a Sweet Apple Tart
Join Plimoth Plantation for a hands-on workshop for ages 5 and up. In this session learn about 17th century tart and pie making from Colonial Foodways culinarian, Kathleen Wall. Learn to make pastry and roll out a crust, peel and slice apples, flavor with sugar and cinnamon, and create a tasty treat to bake at home. History never tasted so good. This workshop is for children accompanied by an adult.
Circle of Life: Learning About Our Animal Relations
Friday, Feb. 19, 9 to 11:30 a.m.
This program focuses on the relationship that Native people had with all the animals that shared the land with them. Using deerskin clothing, artifacts, and hands-on activities, children will learn how all life is respected and why animals are considered our relatives. Hands-on activities include looking for animal tracks and scraping a deer hide.
This program is for children accompanied by an adult.
Meet The Animals: Get Up Close And Personal With Rare Breeds
Friday, Feb. 19, 12:30 to 3 p.m.
Come experience a behind-the-scenes visit with Plimoth Plantation’s Rare Breed animals including Kerry and Milking Devon cows, Arapawa goats, Wiltshire sheep, Dorking and Dominique chickens. Help museum staff feed the goats, collect eggs, and brush the cows while learning about the importance of these historic breeds. Learn how these rare breeds of farm animals are prepared to portray the livestock the early settlers kept in1627. This family-friendly program is a great opportunity for a hands-on, backstage look at the care and training of the special animals that live in Plimoth Plantation’s English Village exhibit. Dress in layers, much of this program is outdoors.
Clay Cup Decorating For Kids
Friday, Feb. 19, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Got an itch to be creative? Come scratch some pots. Sgraffito is really a popular technique of carving into a clay pot surface to create a two-toned design. Guided by staff artisans from the Museum’s Crafts Center, children and adults together, will learn traditional Colonial decorating techniques and carve their own designs into three pre-made cylinder cups. Dress for mess; old clothes are recommended. To accommodate glazing and firing, the completed functional pieces will be available for pickup after March 14 at Plimoth Plantation. This class is for children, but adults may participate as well.
Please note: Food service is not available during the February vacation week, however if guests would like to pack a lunch and come for the day, Plimoth Plantation will provide indoor “picnic” space.
Plimoth Plantation is a bicultural, 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.
