Provincetown Harbor was one of the first places in America that felt the impact of the Pilgrims. They anchored at the northwest corner in 1620 before moving across Cape Cod Bay to Plymouth. Imagine the Mayflower, at anchor.
What did native Americans think when they saw this strange vessel sail in? I bet they watched the new arrivals carefully. Sixteen Pilgrims went ashore and found a stockpile of corn, which they decided Providence had left there for them. No doubt native Americans were aware of the theft of corn soon after it happened, although history does not tell us that. Last month Sven and I went exploring in Truro and found a marker that indicates where the Pilgrims disembarked at “Corn Hill.” Massachusetts has lots of little-known markers of this kind. I returned the following week with my friend Virginia and again walked where Pilgrims had walked. Yesterday I watched a new promotional film from TravelGuru, entitled "Beyond Boston to Cape Cod."
In the film, freelance reporter Kathy Arnold asks, “How long do you need in Massachusetts? I always answer that question, ‘How long have you got?’” She visited Provincetown and the Pilgrim Monument but did not stop in Wellfleet, still I think you will enjoy her film because it really captures the flavor of Cape Cod. Let’s hope she adds Chez Sven to her next travel plan! ... You might also enjoy this article by Doug Fraser at the Cape Cod Times.The Economic Development Committee came up with some great ideas
for activities over the Thanksgiving weekend, but the Historical Society has not exactly rushed to embrace them. As I mentioned in a recent post, some Wellfleetians prefer their town when only the 3000 year-round residents are around. Lots of non-residents return to celebrate the holiday every year. One by one the house lights twinkle on, so that the woods are lit up like a Christmas tree. I bet similar lights brighten the Truro landscape ...Would you come to Wellfleet for Thanksgiving or do you consider Turkey Day such a family occasion that Cape Cod would not be a first choice? What type of fun activities would draw you back? Have you ever thought about the Pilgrims or the Cape's original inhabitants while here?
9 comments:
The Cape Cod Times story shows my ancestor, Stephen Hopkins so I found it interesting. I haven't been to Plymouth since I was a kid but I would enjoy it more now.
We almost went to Sandwich for the holiday but decided to avoid traffic. I hope to get down before Christmas.
We always come for Thanksgiving! We have for the last twenty years or so. We rent one big house, and the whole family stays and cooks and eats together. It's wonderful to be where the first Thanksgiving was celebrated. We are in Truro, not Wellfleet, but close enough.
Happy Thanksgiving!
I recently resolved to re-read Nathaniel Philbrick's book "Mayflower" which discusses that corn discovery. I grew up in western Massachusetts and am still connecting with my state and its history.
When we visited the Cape we went to Provincetown and saw the monument. It was really something to stand there and gaze out to sea and imagine what the Pilgrims felt and what the American Indians thought.
I love those fascinating and little-known and mostly-hidden historic markers. They're usually filled with some wonderful inaccuracies that are, in their own way, charming.
I found Tony Horwitz book A Voyage Long and Strange a wonderful account of what happened between first contact and what happened when the Pilgrims came ashore -- I recommend it to those interested in the early strange history of North America.
I love the idea of spending Thanksgiving in the place where it all started. I also like breaking out of the rut of doing the same old thing each and every year. That's why, whenever I host Thanksgiving (which isn't often for the following reason) I cook nontraditional fare. I've yet to cook a turkey. Ever.
Since it's Thanksgiving weekend, I've been thinking a lot, too, about Pilgrims and the Native peoples who lived in what we now call America. I imagine seeing them for the first time was like seeing humanoid aliens from a different planet. Some people consider Thanksgiving a day of mourning. I understand that, too, though it's one of my favorite holidays.
I've yet to ever visit Cape Cod, but I can't think of a better place to spend Thanksgiving. Perfectly poignant.
I never thought of the Pilgrims in Cape Cod. I try to emphasize with my children the history of Thanksgiving so they don't just think of it as a day to overeat. This year my brother invited our family over and tried to use just ingredients that would be at that first Thanksgiving. He made a lovely butternut squash soup and served it in acorn squashes and slathered the turkey with achiote paste. Yummy.
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