Plimouth Plantation, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

Plimouth Plantation is a living museum.  This style of museum is popular in depicting an historical background using live actors/actresses performing in character. The Plantation community is set in 1627 because that period is well documented by historians.Why is it spelled "Plimouth," with an "i" instead of with a "y?" Because Governor William Bradford who wrote the history for the colony back then spelled it that way. In the image above, looking eastward just beyond the community, Plymouth Bay and the distant Gurnet Point are visible.

These two Plantation staff are performing the age-old practice of hanging out and gossiping, in character, of course.

Wood piles, wood houses, wood chimneys, wood fences, wood doors, wood windows - and yet each house contained an open fire on the floor used for cooking - and no fire hydrant nor fire department nearby to call upon in an emergency.

This performer was happy to engage in conversation with the visitors about life in the colony.

This group of  village men were rebuilding the perimeter wall/fence - all with authentic hand tools, muscle-power, and cooperation - no post-hole diggers, no tractors, no power saws, no machines.

One of the role-playing colonists pausing in thought (or maybe wishing I would leave him alone)  - and no - they do not break character even when baited - not that I would resort to such childish behavior.............much.

This colonist prepares the daily meal - beans, bread, and flower blossoms - maybe add in some meat or fish if any was available. The living space is like a studio apartment but without a bathroom.  And no WiFi - how barbaric!

Another performer demonstrates bread-making to young visitors.

A Wampanoag descendant demonstrates using fire to hollow out a tree trunk to make a mishoon. Alternating between burning and scraping they would create this canoe-like vessel from a single tree.  Unlike the character actors throughout Plimouth Plantation, the presenter at this and other Native People exhibits at Plimouth Plantation are either of genuine Wampanoag heritage or from other Native American nations.