Commemorating the area where the Pilgrims first landed in the New World, Pilgrims First Landing Park is one of the most historic locations in Provincetown, Massachusetts. Comprised of numerous paving stones and markers in an area that overlooks the legendary harbor, this understated monument highlights what it can mean to subtly yet powerfully celebrate a piece of history.
Commemorating where the Pilgrims Arrived in America
The Pilgrims who came to North America on the Mayflower in 1620 established Plymouth Colony but that location was not where they arrived. They first anchored in what is today Provincetown Harbor, which is also the location where they would sign the Mayflower Compact. They came ashore and first touched soil in Provincetown but would soon depart the area to establish Plymouth Colony.
Commemorating this 1620 landing, Pilgrims First Landing Park was originally installed in 1917 by members of the Research Club of Provincetown. The landmark has changed in a variety of ways over the decades, with markers and bronze plaques being installed and then discarded. It is now defined by granite paving stones and granite bench tops that showcase the people and voices that make up the contemporary Provincetown community.
These sponsored pavers feature the names of people, organizations and personalized messages. They’re located all across the landmark, along with more historical markers. Audiences can take in the history and culture of the monument as well as the incredible natural surroundings of the harbor and park.
A revamp of the park saw the installation of new infrastructure and the resetting of the stones, highlighting how it has become an active part of the community. Completed for the 400th commemoration of the Pilgrims’ landing in 1620, Pilgrims First Landing Park is connected to the past and present of the nation and community, showcasing what it can mean to cultivate connections across the eras.
National Legacy, Community Connections
Overlooking Provincetown Harbor where the Mayflower would have been anchored, Pilgrims First Landing Park doesn’t have the grandeur of the Pilgrims Monument or the tradition associated with Plymouth Rock. However, it does have a real connection with both the history of the nation and the modern community, highlighting what kind of experiences and engagement both can enable for audiences in the present and future.
