People’s train of thought when America comes up usually leads them to imagine the gigantic structures like the statue of liberty or mount Rushmore. To add to the list, there is plymouth rock, which is just a bunch of boulders placed on top of one another; a monument that seems to be way out of place. All jokes aside, this heart piece of granite does hold deep and significant history relating to the Pilgrims, early life of America and the Mayflower.
Not Quite What Some Visitors Expect
Plymouth rock is situated at Pilgrim memorial state park of Massachusetts. One of the oldest natrual wonders of the world, plymouth rock attracts thousands of visitors every year. But if you are looking to be mesmerized or shocked, this might not be it. Unlike yellowstone or the grand canyon which give off breath taking views, plymouth rock is simply a rock.
Nevertheless, for those who are aware of its past, it still remains a potent symbol. It is believed to identify the location where The Pilgrims first landed in the New World in sixteen twenty. Oddly enough, there are no documented accounts from the Pilgrims that actually describe the rock. The first written example was in seventeen fifteen when it was referred to simply as a,big rock. The unofficial claim that this was the landing site of the mayflower came in seventeen forty one.
The Pilgrims and Their Journey
The story of Plymouth Rock is associated with William Bradford, one of the frontrunners of American history. Governor of a band of the English apartists seeking for a new identity, Bradford alongside his fellow pilgrims, boarded the Mayflower, a merchant vessel which had a capacity of one hundred and two travelers. Boarding a ship with so many passengers meant that the space available wasn’t too much.
One their journey across the Atlantic, the voyagers did physically migrate, but it was also a spiritual mission which intended to build a society according to their beliefs. When The Pilgrims finally stepped on the soil of Plymouth in sixteen twenty, it catalysed the formation of one of the early European colonies in North America.
The Pilgrims dealt with severe hardships at the onset, however, they were able to establish relations with the Wampanoag tribes, who ensured their sustenance. These events gave rise to the first Thanksgiving celebration, which was a celebration to mark the harvests and is an important national holiday in the USA today.
More Than Just a Rock
Plymouth Rock has over the years acted as a symbol of valor, liberty, and happiness. Many tourists don’t limit themselves to admiring the monument; They ‘converse’ with it. There is a mythology of ‘talking’ to Plymouth Rock, where it is believed that doing so grants wisdom and knowledge.
While on the surface it appears to be a giant monolith, the rock is steeped in its own rich history. In 1774, residents tried relocating it, but ended up shattering it instead. Portions of the rock were even auctioned off. Now, only a third of the rock is left and it is placed under a big granite structure in Pilgrim Memorial State Park.
In case you happen to come by Plymouth, the stone is not the only attraction. The history of this chapter of America is furthered by the Mayflower II, which is a fully scaled imitation of the ship the pilgrims rode on, along with many other historical location within the park.
Plymouth Rock, though not large, is a lasting memorial to the Pilgrims’ arrival and the legacy they left behind. This serves as an example of the fact that at times, the most monumental tales come in the tiniest packages.