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Introduction to Plymouth
Plymouth (Plymouth is the port of call for the English Puritans who came to Massachusetts on the Mayflower in 1620, and is known as the "Hometown of America". The Mayflower was originally scheduled to dock in what is now New York, but weather conditions brought it to Massachusetts to be closer to the city.Cape codThe area. Plymouth is just a short drive from Boston to Cape cod.
Plymouth train station is the most southeastern stop of MBTA, and many people come here by train during peak season. We came here before the peak season, not too many tourists, even though we were driving, it was not hard to find a seat. We easily found a good parking spot by the harbor, and went to the easternmost visitor center to get some information.
Mayflower
The story of the Mayflower is impressive even to foreigners, and even more so to Americans. The most important thing to do here is to see a replica of the Mayflower, but unfortunately the Mayflower was undergoing repairs on this day, so we couldn't visit it, and we could only look at the harbor and marvel.
Puritan Memorial Park
In the absence of the Mayflower, the Puritan Memorial Park next to the ship is particularly quiet. When the replica of the Mayflower is around, there are narrators dressed as ancient Puritans on board to explain the history of the Mayflower.
Plymouth Rock
Underneath this pavilion is the famous Plymouth Rock, where the landing took place in 1620, and now a solemn memorial pavilion has been erected. Plymouth Rock, which is carefully protected by the pavilion, is still clearly inscribed with 1620.
Memorial Park
There are several memorial parks throughout the town, with monuments everywhere that recount bits and pieces of American history.
First Parish Church
First Parish Church, a Puritan church, is the oldest church in New England, having been remodeled five or six times from the first generation in 1622 to the present. It is a much more low-key church than the Catholic Church, with its own sense of solemnity.
Herring run
Plymouth's main source of economy is now tourism, but in the past the fishing industry was the mainstay of the economy, and traces of this can still be seen all over the city. In addition to the harbor, there is the Herring run festival. At this time of year, herring run along the designed steps up to the beautiful Jenney Pond, attracting many spectators.
Upstream, there is a fish counting machine, and fish will come out from here as they climb up the ladder.
This is the Jenney Grist Mill, the oldest mill in the U.S. There is a small market and restaurant next to it, and since the Mayflower is not here and it's the peak season for the Herring run, it's especially busy with tourists.
Next to the restaurant is also the lower reaches of the creek, where many fish are lined up trying to go upstream. The fish that are trying to go upstream are going through the stairs to the right of the waterfall, and they are going to pass the test to reach Jenney pond.
Sculpture Park
Down the river, there's a park with sculptures honoring the hard-working Puritan women of the past, the ancestors who raised Americans on their hands and knees.
Across the street is a statue of William Bradford, the second chief executive of Plymouth Colony, who led the Puritans in those days.
Heritage Building Tour
There are a number of old buildings on the higher ground, but only Howland house is a true example of a former Puritan house. A guided tour is available for those who are interested, and is explained in detail. The Puritan Museum is the oldest museum still in operation in the United States. The Mayflower Compact, signed by the Home Rule government, is engraved on a stone tablet in front of the museum.
Forefathers monument
A little farther from the town center and about a five-minute drive away, Forefathers monument, also known as Pilgrim monument, was originally completed in 1889 to commemorate the Puritan immigrants who came on the Mayflower, but has now been renamed in honor of the Founding Fathers, and is said to be the third tallest statue in the United States.
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