09/30/1996 BOARD OF SELECTMEN Minutes

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The Mashpee Historic District An Expanded View of The Indian-Pilgrim Relationship As planning for the Plymouth Rock National Monument continues, it ; has become increasingly clear that the whole story of the landing of the Pilgrims on Wampanoag territory can be told in a forthright and accurate manner. The planning which has been accomplished up to this point embraces the idea of including more Wampanoag history, particularly as it relates to the expansion of the Plimouth Bay Colony and the settlement of English communities in the surrounding area. Many important historic sites and points of interest exist in close proximity to Plymouth for those who have an interest in the Wampanoag people. - Mashpee is one place that would be of interest to visitors who wish to learn more about the Native People who lived in the vicinity of Plimouth. Located on Cape Cod, less than 20 miles from Plymouth, Mashpee is abutted by the towns of Sandwich, Barnstable, Falmouth and Bourne. All of these towns were settled by English Puritans shortly after the landing in 1620. The original exploratory trails under the guidance of Hobomock and Squanto led many of these early settlers to Cape Cod and coastal towns of Southeastern Massachusetts. Mashpee was not considered particularly attractive to early settlers i because of the sandy soil and shallow bays and was established as an Indian Plantation with protection against incursion by the early settlers. This suited the Wampanoags just fine and the new settlers coexisted in relative ` peace and harmony. Missionaries came and early attempts to convert the Mashpees to Christianity were somewhat successful and Mashpee was considered a "Praying Indian Town". An Indian Meeting House was built in Mashpee in 1684, and a number of Wampanoag men preached to their flock. It should be said that many Wampanoags did not convert and retained the Wampanoag Spiritual traditions. Now , 326 years since the Pilgrims landed in Plimouth, the Mashpee Wampanoags continue to live on the land of their ancestors. They hold to their traditions, maintain their identity and retain their culture. In the face of constant growth, and significant change in the landscape, this proposal will identify and preserve some of the institutions and important sites for the enjoyment of people who want to get a sense of how the Wampanoags lived and what they thought of conservation and the ecology. Wampanoags call her "Mother Earth" and are directed to preserve the land for future generations. I The efforts to highlight the Wampanoag historic sites and points of % interest for the visitor to the Plymouth Rock National Monument are meant