Plimoth Patuxet Museums Debuts The Light Here Kindled Films

Plymouth, Massachusetts (October 2, 2025) – Plimoth Patuxet Museums is pleased to debut its educational short film series The Light Here Kindled on YouTube. Produced with support from Lilly Endowment Inc., the films examine the complex worldviews of the Pilgrims and represent the Museum’s exploration of the ideas and beliefs that were central to the people who lived, traded, worked, and worshiped along the historic shores of change in Massachusetts during the 17th century.

The Separatists, popularly known as the Pilgrims, search for personal religious freedom was a motivating factor behind Mayflower’s transatlantic crossing in 1620. The establishment of a permanent English colony at Plymouth accelerated the transformation of New England in the 17th century—creating American institutions, fostering an Indigenous and English regional society and a new religious landscape. In significant spiritual, political, and economic ways, America is the product of what happened in Patuxet/Plymouth 400 years ago. The Light Here Kindled series explores these ideas, moments, and impacts that are indelible to the ongoing American Experiment.

While the film series focuses on the faith of the Pilgrims, Patuxet/Plymouth was both a place of Native Manitou and Christian Providence. “These spiritual concepts shaped community governance, spirituality, and cross cultural encounters” said Tom Begley, Executive Director. “The Museum is grateful to Lilly Endowment for its support of this work, and we look forward to further exploring these ideas and moments in the future—TheLight Here Kindled series is just the beginning of these conversations and learning opportunities at Plimoth Patuxet.”

Consisting of fourteen short films, The Light Here Kindled series is a free educational resource that consists of four sections, each containing 3 or 4 short films. Starting on October 9, Plimoth Patuxet will host weekly Thursday evening releases on the Museums’ YouTube Channel (@PlimothPatuxetMuseums):

October 9, at 7pm EST - Life Passages
This section consists of three short films that give an overview of the Pilgrim experience through the story of Mayflower passenger Stephen Hopkins and his family.

October 9, at 7pm EST- Communities of Faith
With four short films, this section examines the practice of faith for the Pilgrims under the direction of Pastor John Robinson, who never arrived in Plymouth Colony, and how their religious practice of covenants led to the writing of the Mayflower Compact.

October 16, at 7pm EST - The Reformations
Understanding the 16th and 17th European reformations is critical background for understanding the Pilgrims’ story. The three films in this section walk viewers and learners of all ages through the series of events that led to the Pilgrims’ displacement and their 1620 voyage.

October 23, at 7pm EST - Elements of Worship
The final section of The Light Here Kindled examines the daily spiritual practices for the Pilgrims through four short films. From prayer to communion, and charity to holidays, their lives were shaped and informed by their faith.

To follow along with the release of The Light Here Kindled, Plimoth Patuxet welcomes the public and learners of all ages to subscribe to their YouTube Channel (@PlimothPatuxetMuseums).

Plimoth Patuxet Museums is open seven days a week, 9 am - 5 pm, now through Sunday, November 30th, and will reopen for the 2026 season on Saturday, March 14th.