The 1627 English Village is a re-creation of the small farming town built by English colonists in the midst of the Wampanoag homeland. Find yourself immersed in the year 1627, just seven years after the voyage of the Mayflower. In the village you will be surrounded by the modest timber-framed houses, fragrant raised-bed gardens, well-tended livestock and fascinating townspeople of Plymouth Colony, the first permanent English settlement in New England.

The people you will meet are costumed role players who have taken on the names, viewpoints and life histories of the people who actually lived in the colony in 1627, popularly known as the "Pilgrims" today. Each one has a unique story to tell. Learn about the colony's difficult beginnings or discover the gossip of the day. Ask about religious beliefs, medical practices or relations with the local Wampanoag People. Talk to a housewife and learn what a "pottage" is, or see how a duck or bluefish is cooked on the hearth. Help a young colonist pull up a few weeds in a cornfield, mix daub with your feet for a house under construction, or just relax on a bench enjoying the unique atmosphere of 17th-century New Plymouth.

Your visit to the year 1627 is self-guided, so feel free to wander around the village at your own pace. Do not be afraid to walk in on colonists as they eat, question them as they work, or join a lively conversation in the street. Most of the objects in and around their houses are modern reproductions designed for everyday use and can be handled gently. You needn't be an expert in the language of Shakespeare to pose a question, either. Just ask and see what happens — you may be called upon to define "bathroom" or even explain what a "Pilgrim" is!

Take this unique opportunity to explore the 17th-century perspective of the English who traveled across the Atlantic. You may be surprised at what you learn!

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