PLYMOUTH, Mass. — For thousands of years before the Pilgrims arrived, Plymouth was the home of the Wampanoag Indians who called it Patuxet.
Plimoth Plantation – a living museum which recreates that history - is now honoring the native Americans with a name change.
“We are simply elevating the voices of the indigenous people on this land which was Patuxet,” said Kate Sheehan, the Associate Director of Marketing at Plimoth Plantation.
“Some people have had some strong reactions against it and don’t quite understand it yet,” said Sheehan.
The sign over the entrance to Plimoth Plantaion now reads Plimoth Patuxet Plantation and now reflects that shared heritage. The final version, which has not yet been announced, has already started to cause issues for some.
In time, Sheehan says the hope is they will be adding, “In no way are we taking away the stories of the resilience and persistence of the pilgrims.”
Visitors from different parts of the country say they’re open to the idea.
“I think it’s great that they want to honor the Indians because they were here first,” said Hanna Herzing, a visitor from Kentucky.
For nearly 75 years Plimoth Planation has shown how the Pilgrims and Indians lived and shared this land. 2020 is the 400th anniversary of that first encounter.
“One of those fundamental questions we’ve been exploring is out the name fully reflective of the totality of the experience we present here,” said Sheehan.
For tourist like Herzing, the move to change the name is needed especially now.
“Absolutely, I think it’s wonderful that they can commemorate this and right now,” said Herzing. “I feel like country needs help and friendship and hopefully this is a great symbol of that.”
The final name change will be announced in the next couple of months.