Exhibitions
Plimoth Patuxet's collections are central to our understanding of the 17th century. Learn more about recent discoveries and research in our online and in-person exhibitions.
On View at Plimoth Patuxet Museums
We Gather Together:
Thanksgiving, Gratitude, and the Making of an American Holiday
This exhibit focuses on the origins of one of America's quintessential holidays. Each year, millions of Americans gather together to share a special meal, to give thanks, and think of all that they are especially grateful for.
Plymouth/Patuxet is the place where the ancient traditions of gratitude in both the Indigenous and European cultures merged in the autumn of 1621, and a new holiday of gathering and giving thanks began.
Painting the Past: The Marcia Sewall Illustrations
Join us in celebrating the artwork of Marcia Sewall, award-winning children’s book author and illustrator. Step through the pages of her three books, inspired by the immersive experience of Plimoth Patuxet Museums: The Pilgrims of Plimoth (1986), People of the Breaking Day (1990), and Thunder from the Clear Sky (1995). Sewall’s watercolor illustrations showcase not just the research but the imagination required in painting history. The exhibit includes hands-on activities and a reading nook for children of all ages to enjoy, and is on display in the Hornblower Visitor Center Davis Exhibition Gallery (April 2026 to November 2027).
Threads of Identity: Wampanoag Clothing Across Generations
For thousands of years, Indigenous communities have used clothing as a means of communication and expression. Among the Wampanoag, dress over the centuries speaks to a story of cultural resilience and adaptation in the face of an ever-changing world. Now, visitors can experience history beyond the 1620s with the new exhibit, “Threads of Identity: Wampanoag Clothing Across Generations” located in the Craft Center. This exhibit features work curated and created by Indigenous staff and Native artisans from across the northeast, demonstrating the continuity of cultural knowledge and practices today. (August 2026 to November 2027)
Online Exhibitions
Sailing Through Time: Comparing Mayflower II’s Voyages in 1957 and 2020
This online exhibition focuses on three distinct categories related to Mayflower II: Navigation, Food & Dining and Commemoration. Each category contains featured objects used during the 1957 Mayflower II sail and compares them to the circumstances of the 2020 sail. These specific categories were chosen as they demonstrated both the stark differences and interesting similarities between Mayflower II's sails in 1957 and 2020.