Plymouth Rocks

Plymouth does rock but the post title refers to two significant rocks located in Plymouth, Massachusetts. One is very famous, the other not so much.

The first time I set eyes upon Plymouth Rock I was a bit surprised. Okay, maybe very surprised. This large Roman-like structure was impressive as we drove by, parked, and walked past the sign announcing the Rock's presence.

This picture is not from my first trip to see Plymouth Rock, that was with my mom many years ago. But the structure was the same back then. It sits aside Plymouth Harbor, and is even more impressive at night under an almost full moon.

If you spend enough time in Plymouth you'll probably hear it referred to as "Plymouth Pebble". Not so respectful of such a beloved landmark, but if you've been there you know why. Here is a view of the Rock from the top of the structure that houses it, and a view of the harbor from the top.

 

We all know the story of the Pilgrims' landing at Plymouth Rock in 1620. Some of us may be aware that the Rock may not actually be where the Pilgrims landed. What most of us probably don't learn in school is the actual story of the Rock and its changes throughout history. When you see it in person, you'll wonder how the Pilgrims managed to land on such a small rock. Maybe 392 years of sand washing up on the beach has taken a toll on its magnificence.

Not sand, but hands.

In 1774 the Rock was split in two pieces. The top half was moved to the Plymouth meeting house and the bottom left in the sand. In 1834 it was moved to Pilgrim Hall. In 1859 the structure you see below (courtesy of Wikipedia) was begun to house the portion of the Rock still in the sand, and when it was completed in 1867 the top was brought back. Gates were eventually added to deter souvenir hunters. The structure pictured above replaced the original structure in 1920. 

The hands come in prior to the gates. Numerous pieces of the Rock were taken as souvenirs. A piece was sent to the Smithsonian, some still remain in Pilgrim Hall (now a museum), and another in the Plymouth Church of the Pilgrims.

The other rock is not housed in a grand canopy on the edge of Plymouth Harbor. Nor has it been chipped down to size by souvenir hunters over the years. It sits on the side of a road that is only partially paved, surrounded by trees and brush.

It took us awhile to find this rock, which sits on the side of Old Sandwich Road and even has a number (394). By the time we did the sun was interfering with the pictures. But we were only in the area for a day, so we had to make do. This rock is known as Sacrifice Rock. From the Plymouth Antiquarian Society: 

Everyone knows Plymouth Rock, but how many have visited Plymouth's other historic rock? Sacrifice Rock on Old Sandwich Road is the Antiquarian Society's oldest and perhaps least known historic site. Centuries before the arrival of English settlers to the area, this ancient landmark was an important stop for wayfarers. Travelers left small branches or stones atop the rock perhaps as a gesture of sacrifice, or to receive the blessing of safe passage -- the full meaning of the custom is shrouded by time.

Generations of Pokanoket and other native people en route between Plymouth and points south and west placed their offerings on Sacrifice Rock and over time created a great stick formation. Plymoutheans in the 19th century were familiar with the ancient accumulation, although it was later destroyed by fire. Local historian William T. Davis discussed Sacrifice Rock and other examples of this type of ritual site in Ancient Landmarks of Plymouth:

These rocks, still covered with small branches, etc., remain as monuments of aboriginal religious rites. Like the Manittoo Asseinah or Spirit Rocks of the Western Indians, they have always received homage of branches from the natives, who passed them reverently as the abodes of the Great Spirit, as they went on in silence.

There is a plaque on top that reads: 

Sacrifice Rock

Manittoo Asseinah

Indian Name Meaning

God's Rock

Not everyone has forgotten about Sacrifice Rock. Even with the shadows you can see the coins and small rocks people have left behind.

There is a quiet beauty about the place, as if you can still feel the spirit of the travelers that left offerings to God. 

In my car I've kept a rock for many years, given to me by a dear friend. It's a long story, but connected with some very personal things in my life. During our day in the Plymouth area, I took a pilgrimage to a store that my mom loved, and while I was there I found a head's up penny on the ground. I put the penny in my car, and almost forgot about it. Before we left Sacrifice Rock, I decided to place the rock my friend had given me on top with the others, and added the penny for my mom. My husband said that he thought the rock was special to me, and I replied that I guess that was the point.

Around the corner is a street named for this little piece of the world:

The development that sits off this road looks new and expensive. I felt a little twinge of sadness that this ancient site was being swallowed up, but when I returned home and read the Antiquarian Society's piece about Sacrifice Rock, it ended with this:

Few of today's travelers stop at Sacrifice Rock, which is located right on the edge of the road with no convenient parking at hand. A plan proposed by The Pinehills, an extensive residential development that abuts the site, may allow improved access to Sacrifice Rock while honoring its historic character. The plan includes an extended buffer area with a walking trail and a pocket park for Sacrifice Rock. If implemented, the improvements may put Plymouth's other Rock back on the map, and help to highlight an ancient part of the region's diverse history. 

I hope that I will have the opportunity to revisit the area when this plan is put in place. It will be nice to see it given the honor it deserves.