The enduring legacy of the Pilgrims‘ settlement in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1620 is intricately linked to two pivotal sites: Plymouth Rock and Cole’s Hill. These historic landmarks serve as powerful symbols of the courageous journey and challenging beginnings that shaped New England and, ultimately, the United States. While many early colonial sites have lost their original character, Cole’s Hill offers a unique, largely preserved vantage point into the past, complementing the iconic status of Plymouth Rock.
The arrival of the Mayflower in Plymouth Bay heralded a new era, fraught with both hope and immense hardship. The passengers, now famously known as the Pilgrims, faced a brutal first winter, known as the “starving time.”
Cole’s Hill: A Silent Witness to Pilgrim Hardship and Resilience
Rising prominently from the shores of Plymouth Bay, Cole’s Hill remains the dominant natural landmark of Plymouth Harbor. This elevated position provides a sweeping vista of the harbor and sea, vividly recalling the scene that greeted the weary Mayflower passengers upon their arrival. Situated near the foot of Leyden Street, which served as the principal thoroughfare of the original settlement, Cole’s Hill holds a particularly poignant history.
During the tragic first winter of 1620-1621, when disease and famine claimed the lives of many Pilgrim colonists, Cole’s Hill became their traditional burial ground. The deceased were reportedly interred at night, with graves disguised to conceal the dangerously weakened state of the surviving settlers from the local Wampanoag tribes. In subsequent years, the colonists occasionally positioned cannons on the hill as a strategic defense against potential maritime attacks, highlighting its continued importance.
Historically, Cole’s Hill also became the site of Deacon Samuel Fuller’s home during an early assignment of land tracts. Fuller was the Mayflower Pilgrims’ respected physician and surgeon, a vital figure in the struggling colony. The hill itself eventually took its name from a popular tavern keeper named Cole, who, for many years after 1645, maintained his establishment overlooking the bay, fostering a sense of community amidst the burgeoning settlement.
While other locations in Plymouth, such as Burial Hill (where the colony’s first fort stood) and Leyden Street (where the initial houses were built), are also historically significant, their original character and integrity have been diminished by time and urban expansion. Burial Hill, for instance, is now densely populated with the graves and monuments of countless generations. In contrast, Cole’s Hill has largely retained its open and expansive nature, continuing to offer an unparalleled view of the very bay into which the Mayflower sailed and the shore upon which its passengers landed, making it a truly immersive historical site.
Today, Cole’s Hill is carefully preserved by the Pilgrim Society as a public park, accessible to all who wish to reflect on this foundational period of American history. At its summit stands a powerful memorial dedicated to the Mayflower Pilgrims, erected by the General Society of Mayflower Descendants. Beneath this monument lies a crypt containing bones unearthed during excavations in the 18th and 19th centuries. Given that no burials occurred on the hill after 1637, it is highly probable that some of these remains belong to those unfortunate souls who endured the perilous ocean voyage only to succumb during the colony’s initial, brutal months. Another prominent feature on the hill is the statue of Massasoit, the revered Wampanoag chief whose enduring friendship and alliance shielded the struggling colony from potential conflicts during its vulnerable early years.
Plymouth Rock: The Enduring Symbol of Arrival
At the very foot of Cole’s Hill rests Plymouth Rock, widely recognized as the legendary landing site of the Pilgrims and a profound symbol of their journey to the New World. This historic granite rock, now famously incised with the date 1620, has been venerated for over two centuries, initially by the local community of Plymouth and subsequently by the entire nation. Its significance is not merely in its physical presence, but in its powerful role as a touchstone for the narrative of American origins.
Over the years, Plymouth Rock has been moved and re-situated several times, underscoring the fervent desire of successive generations to preserve and honor this cultural artifact. Today, it lies two-thirds underground, protected beneath a classical portico and encircled by an iron fence, ensuring its continued preservation for future generations. While historians have diligently sought to confirm whether this exact spot was where the first exploring party of Pilgrims actually came ashore, official records from the Pilgrims themselves make no explicit mention of their specific landing place. Nevertheless, as the traditional and universally accepted symbol of the Pilgrim landing, the rock holds an undeniable place in the collective memory and veneration of the United States.
The Pilgrim Hall Museum: A Treasure Trove of Colonial History
Complementing the outdoor historical experience of Cole’s Hill and Plymouth Rock is the Pilgrim Hall Museum, located nearby at 75 Court Street (Route 3A). This venerable institution, housed in a building constructed in 1824, holds the distinction of being the nation’s oldest continuously operating public museum. It serves as an invaluable repository, offering an unmatched collection of authentic Pilgrim possessions and artifacts that bring their world to life.
Among the museum’s irreplaceable treasures are profoundly significant items such as William Bradford’s Bible, a testament to his faith and leadership; Myles Standish’s sword, symbolizing the colony’s defense; the only known portrait of Pilgrim Edward Winslow painted from life; the cradle of Peregrine White, recognized as New England’s firstborn; the formidable great chair of William Brewster; and the earliest sampler made in America, meticulously embroidered by the teenage daughter of Myles Standish. These artifacts collectively provide tangible links to the individuals who shaped this crucial period of American development.
Conclusion: Reflecting on America’s Foundational Story
Plymouth Rock and Cole’s Hill together encapsulate the profound historical narrative of the Pilgrims‘ arrival and the arduous establishment of the Plymouth Colony. From the solemn burial grounds on Cole’s Hill, bearing silent witness to the “starving time,” to the symbolic Plymouth Rock representing hope and new beginnings, these sites provide a vital connection to America’s foundational story. The meticulous preservation of these landmarks, alongside the rich collection within the Pilgrim Hall Museum, ensures that the sacrifices, resilience, and enduring spirit of the early European settlers and their interactions with indigenous peoples remain a potent lesson and a cherished part of the national heritage. They invite visitors to reflect on the complex tapestry of American history and the enduring legacy of those who braved the unknown to forge a new life in a new world.
