Plymouth Rock

Plymouth Rock, located in Plymouth, Massachusetts, is known to be the rock upon which the first pilgrims set foot when they first landed in the "New World" in the year 1620. A lack of detailed documentation has sparked some, however minute, controversy over the years as to whether or not the pilgrims "landed" upon a rock at all. If they did land upon a rock, there is somewhat of a debate as to whether the designated historical piece of history is the actual rock upon which the first pilgrims first set foot.

Original Sources of Information

The best source of historical information about the landing would be information gathered from the actual pilgrims who landed in Plymouth in 1620. There are two such credible sources. "Of Plymouth Plantation", a journal written by William Bradford, and another book written in 1622 entitled "Mourt's Relation" both describe the landing but without any mention of a rock upon which the pilgrims landed.

Most of the information about the landing and Plymouth Rock have been handed down from generation to generation. The stories remain fairly consistent resulting in little controversy over the historical accuracy of the legend of Plymouth Rock.

The Size of Plymouth Rock

The rock is a granite rock that originally weighed about ten tons. However, varying circumstances leading to some deterioration of the rock left it split and chipped resulting in a much smaller version of the rock. The bottom portion of the rock which, for some time, remained near the sea shore weighs approximately six tons. The top portion of the rock which is the portion first protected and reserved for visitors originally weighed approximately four tons. Due to the chipping away of the rock by tourists over the years, it is estimated that the rock is only about one third it's original size. Massachusetts residents and tourism officials report that most visitors to Plymouth Rock seem a bit shocked by the size of the rock.

Efforts to Preserve Plymouth Rock

In 1774, the residents of Plymouth wanted to preserve the integrity of the rock and mount it as a symbol of freedom in the Town Square as the upcoming Revolutionary War fast approached. In an effort to move the rock, using Oxen, the rock was split. Only the top portion of the rock was successfully moved into the Town Square. After the Revolutionary War ended, the rock was somewhat neglected and pieces were chipped away as visitors to the area desired to keep a piece of the legendary rock as a souvenir to commemorate their visit. In 1832, in another effort to protect the rock from further neglect and harm, the rock was once again moved to another location. Visitors were still able to further chip away at the rock until it was once again relocated to the Pilgrim Hall Museum and protected by a fence that would stop the chipping away and further deterioration of the rock. However, once again, during the course of the final move, the rock fell resulting in a visible crack. It was not until 1880 that the bottom half of the rock, which was left in it's original location by the seashore, was reunited with it's top portion.

The historical Plymouth Rock can be visited at its final resting place near the seashore in downtown Plymouth, Massachusetts where it resides under a protective canopy.