Editor’s Note: This article contains information about programming and schedules which may have changed in light of the global pandemic. We have preserved it in its original submitted form in order to show the planning process which PMPM has conducted while considering their commemoration activities. Please see the link at the end of the article for the most up to date information on Provincetown400 activities.

The Provincetown 400 Opening Ceremony scheduled for Friday, April 24, 2020 has been postponed. It is now scheduled for Friday, June 26, but is subject to change.

Most of us were taught in elementary school about a group of Separatists that left England in 1620, seeking religious freedom and the ability to live life the way they wanted. We learned their destination was Virginia, but storms sent them to Massachusetts instead and a certain rock gained fame. They made some new friends and shared one of the most infamous meals in history.

Irrespective of the traditions and what today’s Thanksgiving holiday means to many, our aim at the Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum (PMPM) is to present a more accurate portrayal of the events that happened 400 years ago. There is more to the Mayflower Pilgrims’ story than leaving England, arriving in Plymouth and breaking bread in thanks. The PMPM team works daily to educate and commemorate the multifaceted origins and events of the Mayflower Pilgrims’ landing in Provincetown, Massachusetts, the lasting democratic impact of the Mayflower Compact, and the rich and storied history of Provincetown. The upcoming 400th anniversary is a huge opportunity to share this larger story and the impactful, historical moments in between the Pilgrims leaving, arriving and eating.

History told from many perspectives is fuller, richer and more accurate. And there is great power in speaking and relaying the truth. That’s why, as the oldest nonprofit in Cape Cod, it is our duty to cultivate truth, education and inclusion. And we’re tapping into the 400th anniversary to do this on a grand scale.

First things first

Despite what we were taught about Plymouth Rock, the Mayflower first landed in Provincetown, Massachusetts, not Plymouth. Before leaving the boat to explore Cape Cod, one of the most significant pieces of American history, the Mayflower Compact, was drafted and signed in Provincetown Harbor. It became one of the first written iterations of self-governance in the blossoming country and served as a foundation and model for the United States’ current representative system of government.

400 years later, we are still teaching students that the Pilgrims first landed in Plymouth and the media continues to extol this falsehood. A key component to the Provincetown 400 events will be to educate everyone about what really happened in 1620 and to commemorate everyone involved, not just the Pilgrims.

Provincetown 400 and 2020

400 years later, we are gearing up for a special year commemorating the Pilgrim’s arrival in the New World. For 2020, museums, towns and societies are planning an entire season of events and programs occurring from Boston all the way down Massachusetts' South Shore and Cape Cod region recognizing the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower’s voyage. The Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum will be kicking off the entire 2020 season with “Provincetown 400.”

Provincetown 400 will commemorate the Pilgrims’ landing and the signing of the Mayflower Compact in Provincetown Harbor—a pivotal moment in American history that established the notion of a “common good” and democratic values of self-governance.

The events and programs honoring this historic anniversary will underscore these principles and others, including freedom of belief and conscience, and dedication to diversity, while honoring the traditions of the Wampanoags and other native peoples who lived here long before the Mayflower’s arrival.

With national attention focused on the 400th anniversary, Provincetown has the opportunity to remind the world of its place as a champion of democratic principles, and the Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum as powerful symbols of enduring American values that celebrate free thought, association and belief.

Debut of ‘Our Story’

Shortly after the Pilgrims’ landfall on Cape Cod, they encountered the Wampanoag Tribe at what is now known as First Encounter Beach in Eastham. Were they polite guests? No. While exploring the region, they desecrated sacred burial grounds and stole corn from the Wampanoag at Corn Hill, before determining that the landscape surrounding Provincetown was too sandy and therefore not suitable for growing the crops they wanted. After five and a half weeks, they raised anchor and set sail for Plymouth.

The Pilgrims were the heroic settlers that history has painted, but they were not as respectful and peaceful as they’re portrayed, just like the Wampanoag were not “savages.” To set the record straight, PMPM will debut a new permanent exhibit in April 2020. It is being curated and constructed by Paula and Steven Peters of the Wampanoag Tribe of Mashpee and is titled, ‘Our Story: The Early Days of the Wampanoag Tribe and the Pilgrims Who Followed.’

‘Our Story’ will be interactive, modern and technological, and especially accurate. The new exhibit, years in the making, will replace paintings and murals which inaccurately depicted the first meeting between the Wampanoag and the Pilgrims. Getting the opportunity to set the record straight and work side by side with members of the Wampanoag was immeasurably rewarding in paying proper respect to these people and part of United States history.

Nuances in language

One aspect that was kept top of mind as we planned Provincetown 400 was sensitivity and inclusivity. Some people may view 2020 as a year of celebration; we do not. While we’re certainly excited for this year and the great programs, to “celebrate” the events of 1620 would be of great disrespect to the people who were oppressed during the time.

In Provincetown, which is known for tolerance, inclusion and being a safe haven to everyone, despite creeds or beliefs, a celebration would indicate only approval and rejoicing for our past. That is why for us 2020 is a year of “commemoration” instead. We encourage everyone to understand and appreciate the difference, and ‘Our Story’ aims to make this happen.

Let’s get it started

In April 2020, Eastern Massachusetts will take center stage as the official commemorations get underway. As a nod to being the first place the Pilgrims landed, we’ll kickoff the statewide commemoration activities bright and early — 7 a.m. — the morning of April 24 with remarks from our historians, state senators and congresspeople, all to be covered by national broadcast.

At a time of division and discord in the country, the commemoration will broadcast with a

message of unity, shared purpose and passionate support of core American values and traditions.

Later that day, Plimoth Plantation will also host an event with Governor Baker and other officials, and the 2020 season will be underway.

History setting sail

September will see the majority of the Provincetown 400 events, culminating with the arrival of the Mayflower II into Provincetown Harbor on September 10, weather permitting, where it will spend four days moored where her predecessor originally first dropped anchor in the New World.

The Mayflower II will have a busy season making appearances along the east coast, including Boston where she will be featured alongside the U.S.S. Constitution. The logistics of bringing the Mayflower II to Provincetown are endless. As a floating historical landmark, it takes a delicate orchestration of dozens of crew members, security personnel and the weather, all working together, to sail the ship anywhere.

In Provincetown, Mayflower II will take part in daily re-enactments and observances, highlighted by the signing of the historic Mayflower Compact on Sunday, September 13, which will give the public the opportunity to witness a significant piece of American history. Mayflower IIwill set sail back to Plymouth on Monday, September 14 after a champagne toast farewell and ceremony at sunrise.

Along with the visit from the Mayflower II, the descendants of those who rode aboard her will also pay their respect to history. Currently, more than 1,500 members of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants (GSMD) are registered for the GSMD triennial Congress, which will include a parade and luncheon in Provincetown on September 13.

Bringing it all together

This is just sampling of the program the Provincetown 400 task force has put together for 2020. Just like with other smaller museums in New England, we are proud of what we’ve been able to bring together, given the budget and resources possessed by a small museum (yet, with a very large monument), located at ‘the end of the earth.’

We are ready for the influx of visitors to Provincetown this year, ranging from history enthusiasts, school trips and the unsuspecting tourists who happened to pick just the right year to visit our small town.

But 2020 is just the beginning. It is our springboard for the future. We are working to make the Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum more accessible to everyone with the launch of the Bradford Access Project, which will extend our front door down to one of the town’s most heavily trafficked streets and enable those who may not be able to make the trek up High Pole Hill to easily access the museum. This project supports our mission of excluding nobody and making the town, and PMPM, more accessible for everyone.

And we’re just getting started. Over the next several years, we will be transforming PMPM from a community museum into a world class destination, a place that folks and families will want to visit over and over, long after 2020 takes its place in our history.

For more information about Provincetown, PMPM and Provincetown 400, please visit https://www.pilgrim-monument.org/.