Buzz
Plimoth Plantation, a historic site in Massachusetts, is preparing for a major change. As reported by CBS Boston, the living history museum will adopt a new name to reflect its focus on inclusion.
The museum is a historical recreation of the Plymouth Colony, originally established by British colonists in the 1600s. Alongside showcasing European colonial history, it strives to represent the stories of the Wampanoag people, the area's Indigenous inhabitants. By removing the term 'plantation' from its name, which carries associations with slavery and colonialism, the museum aims to honor both aspects of the region’s history.
The museum released a statement saying:
"We have been discussing a potential name change for the museum for over a year, asking ourselves: 'Does our current name truly represent the diverse and multifaceted history that lies at the heart of the museum's mission?' These conversations have led us toward a new, more inclusive name that acknowledges the equal importance of both Indigenous and colonial histories in our educational mission."
While the new name hasn't been finalized yet, it's anticipated to be revealed during Plimoth's 400th anniversary celebration later this year. In the meantime, the museum has unveiled a new logo featuring the words Plimoth (the name used by British colonists) and Patuxet (the Wampanoag name for the area).
The museum is one of many institutions reexamining its name and imagery following the anti-racism movement spurred by the killing of George Floyd. Recently, the American Museum of Natural History announced it would remove a statue depicting an African American and Native American figure in submissive poses next to Theodore Roosevelt.
