Pilgrim Hall Museum

A gallery museum in the heart of Plymouth at 75 Court St., Pilgrim Hall tells the stories of America’s founding through exhibitions of authentic 17th-century Pilgrim possessions. Completely renovated last year, it now includes air conditioning, universal access and a new wing for changing exhibitions. The museum is open from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 7 days a week. Admission is $7 for adults, $6 for senior citizens (62+) and AAA members, $4 for children 5-17, and families (two adults with their children aged 5-17) cost $20. Adult and family who are residents of Plymouth, MA., are admitted free, as are members of the Pilgrim Society. Call 508-746-1620 or visit www.pilgrimhall.org for information.

Plimoth Plantation

Located 2 1/2 miles south of Plymouth Rock on Route 3A, Plimoth Plantation is the living history museum dedicated to the story of two cultures living in Plymouth Colony during the 17th century. Debunking myths through “historic-reality,” Plimoth Plantation presents the separate and shared history of the Native Wampanoag and the English Colonists. Powerful experiences abound throughout the four major sites: The 1627 Pilgrim Village, where Colonists live their day-to-day lives, speaking in first person, as if it were 1627; The Wampanoag Homesite, where Native staff, dressed in period garb, reflect on the history of their people as well as the Wampanoag culture of today; The Crafts Center, where artisans recreate the handicrafts of the 17th century; and Mayflower II, where visitors can get on board a reproduction of the ship that brought the Colonists to the new world in 1620. The visitor center is open every day, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., from March through November, with different exhibits opening at various times. Check the Web site, www.plimoth.org, for specific information.

·Local tip: The Plantation is a must-see. It also has a great gift shop.

Jenney Grist Mill

The Jenney Grist Mill is a 16th century nonprofit living history museum, and its purpose is to educate students, visitors to Plymouth and the local community of the agricultural, economic and historic significance of the 1636 mill. Admission to the mill helps to support its purpose. The Grist Mill is open from April 1 through Nov. 29 to the general public. Hours are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday  from 9:30 a.m. to p.m., Sunday noon to 5 p.m. Closed Tuesdays, except for reserved tours. Closed  Thanksgiving Day. Regular admission is $6 adults (13 and older), $4 children age 5-12, and free for children 4 and younger. Contact Nancy Martin at 508-747-4544 or info@jenneygristmill.org, or visit www.jenneygristmill.org for more information.

Plymouth Cordage Museum

Located in the Tower Building at Cordage Commerce Center, 10 Cordage Park Circle, Plymouth, off Route 3A, the Plymouth Cordage Museum is open Saturdays and Sundays noon to 4 p.m. and admission is free. Call 508-746-7707 for additional information or check out the museum’s Web site, www.plymouthcordagemuseum.org.

·           Local tip: The museum brings to life a time when the Plymouth Cordage Co. was the world’s largest ropemaker.

Mayflower House Museum

The Mayflower Society House Museum is open Sunday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is open only Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. beginning Oct. 25, and will close for the season after the last weekend in November. Closed on Thanksgiving. The house, built in 1754 by Edward Winslow, is located at 4 Winslow St. It offers nine rooms of 17th, 18th and 19th century furnishings. For information, call 508-746-2590 or 508-746-1508, or visit www.themayflowersociety.com/museum.htm. Admission is free for all Plymouth residents. The cost for non-residents is $4 for adults and $1 for children 12 and under.

1749 Court House museum

The 1749 Court House is a free museum located in Plymouth’s historic Town Square. Filled with interesting items from Plymouth’s history, it’s the oldest wooden Court House and longest used municipal building in America. The 1749 Court House was originally built for the combined use of Plymouth County and the town of Plymouth. The town used it when the circuit court was not in session. When a new courthouse was built in 1820, the town purchased this building for the sum of $2,000 and from that time until the early 1950s, virtually every town department had its offices there. 

In 1970, the building was restored and opened to the public as a museum. It houses a fire engine from 1828, the town hearse, items from Parting Ways settlement, and panels featuring Urban Renewal of Plymouth and High Street during the 1960s. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The 1749 Courthouse is steps away from historic Burial Hill, Cole’s Hill, Plymouth Rock and Mayflower II.

The 1749 Court House is open Monday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4:30 p.m.