The colonists' village at Plimoth Plantation

The colonists' village shows faithful replications of the village, its buildings, animals, and even actors representing its people.

The homes are made mostly of wood, with dirt floors, wooden superstructure and siding, and thatched roofs.  The actors are in character of the time and represent original colonists.  Their stories are incredible.  We learned much about the original Pilgrims from these actors.

The privations they suffered were many.  Half of the original Pilgrims didn't live through the first winter.  We had always believes that all of them were strong believers in their religion.  The actors let us know that was definitely not the case.  The leaders welcomed others to come but weren't completely honest about the life in the colony.  

The fort shown is also the community meeting hall and church, as well as a fort.  There were cannons on the upper floor facing every direction.  The building had morticed joints pinned together with wooden pegs.  The walled-in compound around this building provided firing platforms at each corner for colonial soldiers.  

English citizens were required to attend church services on Sunday so all colonists--even those who were not Puritans--had to attend.  Services were led by the most educated man in the colony--who was not an ordained minister.