Plimoth Plantation- Yeah or Nay?

[HollyBearsMom]

Not sure if the belongs here so Mods feel free to move.....

I have not been to Plimoth Plantation since grade school, probably mid '70's. I now live just a few towns over and a group is scheduling an outing there. My son is 5. I am not sure how feel about it. My memories are all positive-I liked seeing the homes and how they made food. I remember listening to the "pilgrims" talk about their lives and thinking that was so cool. But my memories are all thru the eyes and mind of child and Laura Ingalls/Little House on the Prairie books were my fave!

As a family we do celebrate Thanksgiving, not Day of Mourning however so far in our celebrations the pilgrims have not even been a part of our celebration or even mentioned. It is actually my favorite holiday since there is no commercialism and to *us* it is a celebration of family and what *we* have to be thankful for each day. But I also know the celebrations is very painful to many Americans.

So as my son gets older I feel a responsibility to make sure he learns the real reallities of the early settlers but I am not sure a trip to Plimoth Plantation with a group of nannies, moms and other 5 year olds is where I want to start. I can not go so part of me wants to hold him back even thought my nanny is like minded. On the other hand what great way to open the door for an honest conversation.

So can any one tell me if they have been recently? Does the story play out more in real terms now? Is it appropriate for a 5 year old? Does any one have any good books about the subject geared to pre-schoolers?

thanks

[HollyBearsMom]

Bump- any ideas, anyone been? thanks!

[alisonsvw]

Yay!

In fact double yay! Plimouth plantation is A GREAT history experience, Im taking my kids there closer to october im thinking, I absolutley love that place. Every kid should go there. we are so lucky to live in such a "historical area"

[karen ann]

Plimoth Plantation is a FANTASTIC resource. They strive to be very very accurate. But don't forget to go to the Womapnoag (sp?) village section. It's staffed by members of the tribe dressed as they would have been in the 1600s, but they aren't in character like the interpreters in the main village. That's my 5 year old DS's favorite part.

[frowningfrog]

I was just there the week of the 4th.
I Agree ,It is a fantastic resource.
Members of the Wompanoag tribes do work there and portray their tribesman and women of the past and dress as they did. Actors portray the pilgrims.
You are free to ask the Wompanoag's & Pilgrims questions.
If you have doubts about allowing your DC to go, maybe you can do a lesson with DC on the history before hand so DC will know what he is going to see and the truths of what occured.
I also encourage you to go along at another time when you are free, so if your DC has questions you can be sure he is getting the correct information.

[UUMom]

Check out their website. I believe it is
http://www.plimoth.org/visit/what/ex...anksgiving.asp or
http://www.plimoth.org/visit/what/hobbamock.asp

They have a fantasitc program called Two Peoples: One Story, that is culturally sensitive and incredibly informing.

There is so much *good* going on there. From giving native people a place and a say, to showing what people at the time grew and raised. The folks at PP are very sensitive and are trying to educate, imo.

They only employ tribal peoples (any Nation-- natives do not have to be from MA) at the Wampanoag site, and those folks there speak in the present. Only the 'English' in the plantation speak in as if it were 1627. The other thing is that the movie they show before the tours, and the written text at the Mayflower II, clearly shows, mapwise, that native peoples were kidnapped, killed, and at the mercy of European plagues.

The program also illustrates that many Europeans came seeking freedom, but that intertwined in politics--they cleary state throughout the program that many came for monetary gain. PP also reports that some native people were happy to see children and women n Plimouth (which was different from other travelors). The women and children showed the locals that these people might be different from those who came before.

I think PP shows all the arious issues and complications.

Whether that meets the needs of all visting, I do not know.

All in all, I think it shows what truly happened. I am not sure what your memory is, but the reality is pretty incredible and respectful.