Beyond the Mayflower: History, Culture, and Encounter in Plimoth Colony
Go beyond the familiar Mayflower story and step into the lived experiences of Plimoth Colony. This five-week online course explores the colony’s early struggles, relationships with Native peoples, religious diversity, and everyday life—including the roles of women and the power of literacy and belief. Designed for family historians, Beyond the Mayflower offers essential context to better understand the world your seventeenth-century ancestors knew.
July 2 - Class 1: Settlement and Survival: The Early Years of Plimoth Colony - Presented by Francis J. Bremer
Examine the founding of Plimoth Colony and its earliest challenges, from the perilous Atlantic crossing to the harsh realities of settlement. This session traces the colony’s formative years, highlighting key events, leadership, and the fragile path to survival.
July 9 - Class 2: Encounter and Exchange: Native Peoples and English Settlers - Presented by David Silverman
Explore the complex relationships between Indigenous communities and Plimoth colonists. Moving beyond simplified narratives, this session considers diplomacy, conflict, adaptation, and the perspectives of Native peoples during moments of encounter and change.
July 16 - Class 3: Faith and Practice: Religious Life in Plimoth Colony - Presented by Francis J. Bremer
Delve into the religious world of Plimoth’s settlers, from Separatist beliefs to broader expressions of faith in early New England. This session examines how religion shaped governance, community life, and individual identity.
July 23 - Class 4: Women of Plimoth: Roles, Realities, and Resilience - Presented by Donna Watkins
Uncover the lives of women in Plimoth Colony, whose labor, relationships, and resilience were essential to the colony’s survival. This session highlights both everyday experiences and the ways women navigated social and cultural expectations.
July 30 - Class 5: Learning and Legacy: Literacy, Education, and Influence - Presented by David Lupher
Investigate the intellectual life of Plimoth Colony through its emphasis on literacy, education, and influential texts. This session explores what colonists read, how ideas circulated, and the writings that shaped leaders like William Bradford.
