Special Hour: The Pilgrims Landed In Plymouth 400 Years Ago

47:43

December 18, 2020

The Mayflower II, a replica of the original Mayflower ship that brought the Pilgrims to America 400 year ago, is docked in Plymouth, Massachusetts, days after returning home this summer following extensive renovations. (David Goldman/AP)

Here is the rundown for a special edition of Radio Boston. Tiziana Dearing is our host.

Four hundred years ago, the Mayflower set anchor at what is now known as Plymouth, Massachusetts. At the time, it was called Patuxet. For those who grew up in New England, the Pilgrims' story is a childhood staple. We take a fresh look at that 400-year-old history.

We start with Richard Pickering, deputy executive director and chief historian of the Plimoth Patuxet museum. He reminds us of the history of the landing 400 years ago, and talks about how the museum has worked to broaden that story.

We hear from Lea Filson, executive director of See Plymouth, about how the town of Plymouth had to adjust their plans to recognize this anniversary because of the pandemic, and how she is commemorating this day.

We explore what a complete truth-telling of the Mayflower story would mean with Linda Coombs, who is a part of the Aquinnah-Wampanoag tribe. She's a tribal historian and independent scholar.

We end the hour with Peter Mancall, a professor of the humanities, history, and anthropology at the University of Southern California. He explores where the Mayflower fits in the overall colonial picture and our history today.

This program aired on December 18, 2020.

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