Bright
yellow leaves fall from the trees and bright yellow school busses fill our
parking lots – it’s autumn at Plimoth Plantation! The museum is bustling with
schoolchildren discovering the 17th century. Each year, we welcome 100,000
schoolchildren, 8,000 of whom participate in free field trips through Foundations for Kids. In this season of giving thanks and
family celebrations, we express our gratitude to the many supporters who helped
Plimoth Plantation to accomplish so much this year.
Overcoming
logistical and financial challenges, Mayflower II triumphantly returned
from an extended period in dry dock for urgently needed repairs. It was a moving
and memorable experience to see so many people on the waterfront, waiting to
welcome the ship home to Plymouth. While we made progress on her list of
repairs, Mayflower II will need additional renovation and continued support to remain sail worthy and shipshape for
2020, the 400th anniversary of the Pilgrims’ arrival.
Also near
the waterfront, the Plimoth Grist Mill has been a wonderful addition to the
Museum, expanding the Museum’s presence in downtown Plymouth and adding another
facet to our interpretation of 17th-century New England.
The
Wampanoag Indigenous Program celebrated its 40th anniversary this year. In
addition to celebrating this important milestone here on the Wampanoag Homesite,
the WIP staff worked closely with the National Museum of the American Indian
(NMAI) in Washington, DC to construct a mishoon to add to NMAI’s collection. A
wonderful video was created by PacTV to commemorate the
occasion.
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Mishoon Installation at NMAI
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\On our main
campus, we will break ground this winter to expand and enhance the Craft Center. Thanks to several grants, including major
support from the Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund, we will renovate the
building to include new artisan spaces, a wood-fired oven bakery, and upgraded
visitor amenities. I invite you to visit and explore all the revitalized Craft
Center has to offer in 2014. (Re-opening date to be determined, please check our
website for updates!)
In
September, 300 tourism industry professionals volunteered their time and
hands-on efforts through Tourism Cares. These enthusiastic volunteers rebuilt 500 feet
of the Palisade, painted the Hornblower Visitor Center, restored the steps from
the Visitor Center to the Pavilion, and more. Their impact was enormous, and we
are deeply appreciative.
Finally, I
would like to thank you for your participation this year as a visitor, member,
volunteer or donor. We truly could not fulfill the museum’s educational mission
without your generous and loyal support. I hope that among your priorities in
giving this year you will consider a tax-deductible year end gift to Plimoth Plantation. Together
we can continue to tell the pivotal story of the Nation’s earliest foundations
and preserve our intangible cultural heritage.
On behalf
of all of us at Plimoth Plantation, I wish you and your family a joyous
Thanksgiving.
With
appreciation,
Ellie Donovan
Executive Director
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