About This Domain

Why PlimothPlantation.com Exists Today

PlimothPlantation.com is not the official website of the museum now known as Plimoth Patuxet Museums. Instead, this independent landing page exists to help visitors understand the historical use of the term “Plymouth/Plimoth Plantation,” why many people and institutions no longer use it, and how this story is connected to the Wampanoag homeland of Patuxet.

Why the Term “Plantation” Changed
For many visitors and educators, especially Indigenous and African American communities, the word “plantation” carries painful associations. Although the term originally meant “settlement” in 17th-century New England, its modern meaning is inseparable from slavery and colonization. In response to feedback from Wampanoag partners, Black visitors, and school groups, the museum formerly known as Plimoth Plantation adopted the name Plimoth Patuxet Museums to better reflect its shared commitment to inclusive history and the original Wampanoag homeland of Patuxet.

This domain is maintained as a kind of historical “signpost.” Many people still search for the old name, encounter it in books, or see it on legacy materials. Rather than leading to a dead end, this page provides context, acknowledges why the language changed, and points visitors toward resources that center both Wampanoag and colonial perspectives.

Historical context Wampanoag homeland of Patuxet Inclusive storytelling Name change explained

Looking for classroom-ready materials?

To explore a school musical, readings, and activities that introduce students to Plymouth Rock and Patuxet through both Wampanoag and colonial perspectives, visit:

Visit PlymouthRock.org

A Note of Respect for the Wampanoag People

PlymouthRock.org and this landing page honor the Mashpee Wampanoag and Aquinnah Wampanoag — the Indigenous people of this homeland, known for thousands of years as Patuxet. When discussing the English “plantation,” we recognize that this term marks a profound turning point for the Wampanoag: the arrival of colonists, the spread of disease, and the beginning of dramatic cultural and territorial loss.

We use historical terms only in context and always with deep respect for the Wampanoag perspective, whose ongoing strength, resilience, and leadership continue to guide a more truthful telling of this shared history.

If you are Wampanoag or a local educator and feel there is language here that could be improved, your feedback is welcome.

17th-Century Meaning: In the 1600s, “plantation” simply meant “colony” or “new settlement,” and the English called their early outpost in Patuxet the “Plymouth Plantation.”
Modern Meaning: Today the word is overwhelmingly associated with slavery and forced labor on Southern plantations. For many African American families and students, this meaning is painful.
Indigenous Impact: For the Wampanoag people, the word marks the beginning of colonization at Patuxet—land loss, disease, and disruption of their way of life.
Community Feedback: Wampanoag advisors, Black visitors, and educators all expressed discomfort with the term, prompting the museum to adopt a name that better reflects its mission of inclusive storytelling.

Where to Learn More

To experience immersive, living history and learn about both the 17th-century English colonists and the Wampanoag people, visit the official site of:

Plimoth Patuxet Museums (official site)

This independent landing page is offered only as context for a historic name that still appears in older materials and search results.