"Thanksgiving: Memory, Myth, and Meaning" FAQs

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What to Expect, How to Prepare:

1. What will I see and do in Thanksgiving: Memory, Myth & Meaning?
2. How long does this exhibit take to view?
3. Is this exhibit interactive? Will my children be interested in it?
4. If I visit the museum on the fourth Thursday in November, what will I see?

Frequently Asked Historical Questions:

1. What do you mean by the myth of "The First Thanksgiving?"

What to Expect, How to Prepare:

1. What will I see and do in the Thanksgiving: Memory, Myth & Meaning exhibit?

On your visit through Thanksgiving: Memory, Myth & Meaning, you will begin in the present and travel back to 1621. Along the way, you will see Thanksgiving-related prints, advertisements, presidential proclamations and original objects spanning several centuries. You can also hear radio broadcasts from the 1930s, watch early films depicting "The First Thanksgiving" and view several original Thanksgiving paintings. The highlight of the exhibit is a compelling video that explores "What really happened in 1621" and provides one possible answer to that key question.

You will experience the sights and sounds of that long-ago harvest celebration through the eyes of the Wampanoag as well as the Plymouth colonists. The inclusion of the Wampanoag perspective and the extensive involvement of the Wampanoag community provides fresh insight into what may appear to be a familiar story. We hope that you will enjoy learning about the history of Thanksgiving from this bicultural perspective.

2. How long does this exhibit take to view?

There is a great deal to see and do, so be sure to save at least an hour to go through the exhibit. It is possible to spend an entire afternoon viewing this exhibit.

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3. Is this exhibit interactive?

Will my children be interested in it? Yes! There are videos and audio listening stations throughout the exhibit for everyone to learn from and enjoy. There are also child-friendly pictures and labels placed at a convenient height for children to read. At the end of the exhibit, there is a resource center with computer activities and books to help reinforce the major themes and new ideas explored in the exhibit. We also encourage our visitors, young and old, to take a moment to record their thoughts and responses to the exhibit in our comment book.

4. If I visit the museum on the fourth Thursday in November, what will I see?

A visit to Plimoth Plantation on Thanksgiving Day is always fun, festive, educational, and even delicious! There are often special events or workshops offered for children and families - check out our Calendar of Events for details. A variety of popular dining experiences are also available, including "Eat Like a Pilgrim" luncheons, Harvest Dinners, and the all-day Courtyard Buffet. Many are by advance reservation only, so please see our Dining page for details.

One thing to keep in mind is that in the 1627 English Village, it is not Thanksgiving Day. (The national Thanksgiving Holiday was first celebrated in 1863). The village, however, is bustling with role players going about their daily activities, such as tending fires, cooking and preparing for the coming winter. If you are interested in the event now called "The First Thanksgiving," you may want to ask the role players about the harvest celebration of 1621.

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Frequently Asked Historical Questions:

1. What do you mean by the myth of "The First Thanksgiving?"

Although the gathering which took place between the English colonists and the Wampanoag in the autumn of 1621 in Patuxet/New Plymouth has become known as "The First Thanksgiving," it would not have been considered a thanksgiving by the people involved. Not only was it not a "thanksgiving," but also it was also not a "first!" Native Peoples all over this continent have given daily thanks to their Creator for thousands of years. Likewise, celebrating days of thanksgiving was a familiar tradition for the Europeans who eventually colonized North America.

There are many other aspects of the Thanksgiving holiday as it is celebrated today that are based on misunderstandings and misrepresentations of the 1621 event. From the one long banquet table, to the turkey and cranberry sauce on top of it, the exhibit Thanksgiving: Memory, Myth & Meaning examines popular images and myths of Thanksgiving in greater depth and from multiple perspectives. We encourage you to spend some time there.

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hours: from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm, 7 days a week March 22 through November 30, 2008
address: 137 Warren Avenue, Plymouth, MA 02360 USA
telephone: 1 + 508 746 1622