Mayflower 1620: A New Look at a Pilgrim Voyage

by Plimoth Plantation (Created by), Catherine O'Neill Grace, Cotton Coulson (Photographer)

Plimoth Plantation and the National Geographic Society come together to tell the true story behind the legendary voyage of the Mayflower . A meticulously researched work, Mayflower 1620 offers children a compelling, fresh account of this much-told story.

Vibrant photography of a rare reenactment using the Mayflower II leads readers imaginatively into the narrative. The vivid and informative text explores the story behind the exhibits at the living-history museum in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Primary sources record what the voyagers wore, what they ate, and telling details of their journey. First-person accounts reveal the hopes and dreams they carried. Readers share in the long hours at sea, and in the dangers faced after landfall. Extensive end notes, a map, a detailed chronology, and a bibliography round out the full story of the Mayflower .

Readers experience a new look at this seminal historical event through the eyes of those who now regularly inhabit the world of the pilgrims—the actors who interpret the Pilgrim Voyage. This eye-opening book teaches children the value of closely reexamining everything we think we know.

Genres: History, American History, Nonfiction, Picture Books, Thanksgiving, Childrens

48 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2000

About the author

Plimoth Patuxet is a complex of living history museums in Plymouth, Massachusetts founded in 1947, formerly Plimoth Plantation. It replicates the original settlement of the Plymouth Colony established in the 17th century by the English colonists who became known as the Pilgrims. They were among the first people who emigrated to America to seek religious separation from the Church of England. It is a not-for-profit museum supported by administrations, contributions, grants, and volunteers. The recreations are based upon a wide variety of first-hand and second-hand records, accounts, articles, and period paintings and artifacts, and the museum conducts ongoing research and scholarship, including historical archaeological excavation and curation locally and abroad.
In the English Village section of the museum, trained first-person ("historical") interpreters speak, act, and dress appropriately for the period, interacting with visitors by answering questions, discussing their lives and viewpoints, and participating in tasks such as cooking, planting, and animal husbandry. Third-person ("modern") interpreters answer guests' questions that the first-person interpreters cannot. The English Village represents the year 1627 through most of the museum season (which lasts from early April to late November), depicting day-to-day life and seasonal activities. In November, the English Village typically represents the year 1621, which is the year of the first Thanksgiving to take place in Plymouth Colony.

Reviews

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even adults might learn something they didn’t know about the Plymouth experience in the pages of this book. But if not, the wonderful photography is more than worth the effort of tracking down a copy for perusal.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

National Geographic presents the history of the Pilgrim's voyage from photos they took from a similar journey abroad the Mayflower II (which can actually be toured at Plymouth Rock). I found the book to be mostly historically accurate (slightly biased) and contained a good amount of information. I appreciated the photographs depicting what the ship and tasks abroad it would have looked like. Check this one out!

Ages: 6 - 11

Cleanliness: nothing to note.

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[Barbara Bryant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Update 2022: When I was in Plymouth, England, recently, I imagined the people on the Mayflower and what they were about to undertake. The evocative photographs in this National Geographic book capture my imagination, and the text gives just enough detail to make me want to explore this important point of time in American history deeper. Highly recommended for kids of any age. Like me!

[Kathy Roderer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful recent book about the Pilgrims and the 1620 Mayflower voyage. It is unique not only in its up to date perspective, but also because it uses photographs as illustrations. In 2001, using the Mayflower II, National Geographic and Plimoth Plantation sponsored a voyage from Plymouth to Boston. Scenes were re-created using costumed actors, and these photographs form the scenes shown in this book. The book also allows a sensitive depiction of the native people who had already lived in North America for 12,000 years. One page, entitled "An Established Nation," underscores that the Mayflower colonists and early explorers were not the first people in North America. It shows a photograph of a Native American person on the coast facing east toward the Atlantic. A helpful map is included at the beginning of the book, which shows the route taken by the Mayflower. In the back, a chronology, index, and bibliography are included.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting look at history. The kids loved the pictures and I liked the letters and notes that were shared from the actual journey. A good book for anyone wanting to know more about what happened before, during, and after the trip.

[Deanna Sutter · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice book detailing the events of the voyage and the beginnings of Plimoth Plantation. Great pictures.

[Kim Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting. While there were things I didn't exactly know, I didn't really find any new to be able to tell my students. However, it was still a good overview of the Mayflower and the voyage. The pictures were beautiful.

[Mallory Hargett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great read for middle/high school students.

[Erin]

This is our 4th time reading this for school. I think it'll be our last, as so many resources now are more enriching and engaging!

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really do not like reading books like this aloud. But...
This is a fact-filled and up-to-date informational text about the voyage on the Mayflower. Photos of the Mayflower replica and Pilgrim reenacters from Plymouth Plantation sucked my kids right in. A found it fascinating but too challenging to read on his own. Great for shared reading if you have the patience and a fact loving child. Great non-fiction text and resource for upper elementary students.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mayflower 1620: A New Look at a Pilgrim Voyage

It is a good general information book about the Mayflower, with help from National Geographic Society. It is not an in depth treatise on the Mayflower but a good start, especially for those 1st learning about it.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incorporates the newest findings about the voyage to the New World.

[Kayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

tons of information and pictures, just a very dense read.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

good kid's book, but also has interesting info on the real "Pilgrims", debunking some of the mythology about the passengers and purpose of this voyage. Also, my nieces are in the photos.