Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: New England Colonies: The Mayflower and Plymouth Colony
Read a brief description of the Pilgrims' journey to North America. Find out how many travelers on the Mayflower were actually Pilgrims, and find out why a mistake in navigation led to the first written constitution in the New World.
Other
Plimoth Plantation: You Are the Historian
What really happened at the first Thanksgiving? Students will explore different aspects of the harvest celebration in 1621 through an interactive program provided by an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institute.
Curated OER
Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Maps Etc: Plymouth Harbor, 1620
A map of Plymouth Harbor showing the landing site of the Mayflower, the Plymouth Rock, and the earl settlement site of the Pilgrims.
Curated OER
Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Maps Etc: Plymouth, 1620
A sketch map of Massachusetts Bay showing the area of the Pilgrim landing on Cape Cod, settlement of Plymouth, and relative proximity to Boston Harbor.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Utopian Promise: William Bradford
Seventeenth century author, William Bradford, set sail on the Mayflower and embarked on a journey to the New World using his experiences for his writings. Click on "William Bradford Activities" for related artifacts and activities.
Mayflower History
Mayflower history.com: Fortune Passenger List (1621)
Provides the list of passengers who traveled on the voyage of the Fortune in 1621.
Georgetown University
Heath Online Instructor's Guide: William Bradford
Here, one can find helpful information on studying the works of American author William Bradford (1590-1657 CE). This website provides insight into specific themes and styles prevalent in Bradford's writing as well as suggestions for...
Scholastic
Scholastic: Lesson Plan: The First Thanksgiving
Teachers deepen learners' understanding of the first Thanksgiving as they discuss the Mayflower voyage, life in the colonies, the Wampanoag traditions, and an extensive look into this time period.
Other
Plimouth Plantation
Plimoth Plantation brings us "Living, breathing history," and lots of fun delving into various aspects like the Wampanoag, the English Colonists, the colony itself, and, of course, Thanksgiving - myth and reality. This is a site with...
Other
Plimoth Plantation: Make It at Home
As part of the comprehensive Plimoth Plantation site, this page gives directions on how to create games that the Wampanoag children and Pilgrim children might have played. Find pictures that show how to make these games.
Mayflower History
Mayflower history.com: Church and Religion
Explains the major religious beliefs held by the Pilgrims.
Ancestry
Squanto
Tells the little known story of the friendship of Squanto, the Indian famous for his kindness to the Pilgrims upon their arrival in the New World, and Ferdinando Gorges, the explorer.
Other
Plimoth Plantation: Mayflower Ii
This resource gives a detailed history of both the first Mayflower and the current Mayflower II that sits in the harbor of Plimoth Plantation.
Mayflower History
Mayflower history.com: Massasoit Ousemequin
A biography of the life of Massasoit, the leader of the Wampanoag. It describes his interactions with the Plymouth Colony settlers and treaty negotiations between his tribe and the colony.
Mayflower History
Mayflower history.com: Tisquantum ("Squanto")
A detailed biography of the life of Tisquantum, known as Squanto. Covers some history of the Plymouth Colony and of relations between the colonists and the native peoples.
Syracuse University
Syracuse University: Map of New England, 17th Century
A map that shows the seventeenth-century migration routes of the Puritans from England to New England. Early population centers are designated as well as some interregional migrations.
Scholastic
Scholastic: The First Thanksgiving
This is a site covering every aspect of the first Thanksgiving ever celebrated. There is a picture timeline, an interactive trip on the Mayflower, and wonderful descriptions of what the lives of the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Indians...
A&E Television
History.com: Thanksgiving
A detailed overview of the first Thanksgiving and the menu that the Pilgrims served which was quite different than the modern Thanksgiving meal. Features videos, a photo gallery, and links to many related articles and topics.
Yale University
Avalon Project: Mayflower Compact 1620
Read the actual words of these earliest Americans and their attempt at self-government with the writing of the Mayflower Compact. Link directly to other colonial charter pages.
Open Door Team
Open Door Web Site: The First Thanksgiving
This brief article tells of the help the Indians gave the Pilgrims in learning about the land, resulting in the first Thanksgiving.
Open Door Team
Open Door Web Site: The Mayflower and the Mayflower Compact
Although brief, this article gives information about the Pilgrims and "strangers,", size of the Mayflower, and the reason for the Mayflower Compact.
A to Z Teacher Stuff
A to Z Teacher Stuff: Thanksgiving (Lesson Plans)
A variety of lesson plans broken down by grade level geared to helping children learn about Thanksgiving, many involving interactive activities.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Colonial America
This resource provides a brief overview of Colonial America.
Library of Congress
Loc: Learning Page: Primary Source Set: Thanksgiving
A set of primary documents that reflect the Mayflower, Plymouth, Puritans, the first Thanksgiving, and legislation for the holiday.