The following are only a few of the interesting treasures within the
hall:
Picture of the “Landing,” in vestibule of Hall. Given by R. G. Shaw of
Boston.
Picture of the “Landing,” 13 x 16 feet, by Henry Sargent of Boston and
presented by him in 1834. On east wall of hall.
Copy of Weir’s Embarkation from Delft Haven. Painted by Edgar Parker.
South wall of hall.
Departure from Delft Haven, by Charles Lucy. Presented by Alexander H.
Rice, former governor of Massachusetts. This picture won first prize of
one thousand guineas at an exhibition in England. Of great value. West
wall.
Original of Weir’s Embarkation of the Pilgrims from Delft Haven.
Purchased by the Society in 1914 (Weir’s picture in the rotunda of the
Capitol at Washington is an enlargement from this study).
W. F. Halsall’s fine painting of the Mayflower in Plymouth Harbor hangs
on the north wall inclosed by portraits of the Winslow family.
Many engravings of historic interest, including the Signing of the
Compact.
Patent of the Plymouth Colony. This is the oldest state document in New
England. It bears the date of June 1, 1621, was granted to John Peirce
and came over in the ship Fortune in November, 1621. It shows the seals
and signatures of the Duke of Lenox, the Marquis of Hamilton, the Earl
of Warwick, Lord Sheffield and Sir Fernando Gorges. Several parts of
this ancient document have broken away, including the seal of Hamilton
and the seal and signature of John Peirce, the party of the second part
thereto. This charter includes the territory in and around Cape Cod Bay,
outside that allotted in the first charter which had covered the
territory to the south in the neighborhood of the Virginia Capes. This
second charter was granted by the Council for New England, which had
been created by royal authority after the departure of the Pilgrims from
Plymouth, England.
[Illustration: GOV. CARVER’S CHAIR IN PILGRIM HALL MUSEUM]
Bible of Governor William Bradford printed in Geneva in 1592.
Chairs of Elder Brewster, Gov. Carver and Gov. Winslow.
Carved back of pew taken from parish church at Scrooby, Eng.
The famous sword of Captain Myles Standish dating back several centuries
before the Christian era; captured from the Persians by the Saracens in
637 at Jerusalem and bearing the inscription in Arabic, “With peace God
ruled His slaves (creatures) and with the judgment of his arm He
troubled the mighty of the wicked.”
Portraits of Dr. James Tucker, first secretary of the Pilgrim Society;
Joseph Henry Stickney, generous contributor to the Society, hanging over
bronze tablet; George Washington; Edward Everett; Edward Winslow,
Governor of Plymouth Colony in 1633-36-44; Josiah Winslow, son of Edward
Winslow, Governor, 1673-1680; Penelope Winslow, wife of Governor Josiah;
Gen. John Winslow (great grandson of Edward); Dr. Isaac Winslow. These
portraits are grouped about the picture of the Mayflower (by Halsall),
hanging on the north wall of the hall.
Portrait of the Hon. Daniel Webster.
Original manuscript, including Miss Felicia Heman’s “The Breaking Waves
Dashed High.”
In the fireproof annex, which holds the library, are over three thousand
volumes of great value, dating back as far as 1559.
There is a basement in which are stored relics of a somewhat later
period. In fact, the building is so filled with interesting reminders of
the early Colonial days that it would be useless to enumerate them here.
There is a complete catalogue obtainable at the hall which will be a
great aid to the visitor as each article is described in detail. The
Hall is open daily to visitors. Admission twenty-five cents.