★★☆☆☆
137 Warren Avenue
Plymouth, MA 02360
Phone: (508) 746-1622
Website: http://www.plimoth.org/features/
You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJEOKzU_Qpw

plimoth-plantation-2009-004.jpgWith Thanksgiving soon approaching my mom, Ric, Josh and I headed back to Plimoth Plantation to see if there have been any improvements on accessibility. Last time we reviewed this famous tourist attraction was in April of 2008; at this time we were told improvements on accessibility were underway. You can read our April of 2008 Two Star review by clicking on:
  The Plimoth Plantation. We were somewhat disappointed when we didn’t find any improvements on wheelchair access.

I feel fortunate to live close to the historic town of Plymouth where I can easily visit Pilgrim Memorial State Park,   Plymouth Rock and Mayflower II, which are a few of the historic attractions that millions of people from ‘around the world’ travel to see.

During our recent visit we decided to take a video of an ‘Overview and Accessibility of Plimoth Plantation’ thinking many from ‘Around the World’ would enjoy seeing Plimoth Plantation. You’ll also get to hear an honest review on accessibility from Bob, a very nice Native American who works here at the Wampanoag Homesite. Bob himself uses a power wheelchair. To view this video, just click on the play button on the video above.

Located at Plimoth Plantation is a Visitor Center, a 1627 English Village and a Wampanoag Homesite. The cost of admission is $24 per person; $28 for both Plimoth Plantation and the Mayflower II; $10 for the ”limited access” pass for persons with a disability; and free for one companion accompanying the person with a disability. You’ll need a strong companion to help you access the English Village and Wampanoag Homesite!

The Visitor Center is fully accessible and easy to wheel around. Here you will find restrooms which are spacious, wheelchair accessible and ADA compliant except the pipes under the accessible sink are not covered as is ADA required. In addition, this building has a Café with indoor/outdoor accessible seating, a Gift Shop and two Theaters which feature a presentation of the era of the Pilgrims and Native Americans. The only accessibility problem I found is the cashier countertop inside the Gift Shop is too high for a person in a wheelchair to reach. All other areas inside the visitor center are fully accessible and easy to access.

Once outside you will find the pathways leading to the 1627 English Village and Wampanoag Homesite are not very wheelchair friendly because much of the terrain is hilly and consists of dirt and sand. Some of the paths are paved yet the steepness of the slope makes for a tough wheel. A power chair may be easier to travel up the slopes yet if you get stuck in the sand and dirt it may be difficult to get a power chair up and out due to the weight of the chair. An all terrain chair like my De-Bug All Terrain Wheelchair by Deming Designs, Inc would really be best here.

We did manage to find some paved path shortcuts that are marked as ‘staff only’ that are less hilly; yet these paths are not really meant for visitors. We think it would be a good idea to mark these paths as wheelchair accessible for persons in wheelchairs.

I definitely recommend you visit the English Village and Wampanoag Homesite because it’s very educational and a lot of fun :>) The pilgrims and native people will show you how it was living in 1627 here. I even got to go inside a pilgrim home and a Leentoo (Tee Pee) which was a Native Persons home.

plimoth-plantation-2009-001.jpgPlimoth Plantion does offer the use of a Golf Cart for persons with a disability who have difficulty walking; it would be very difficult for a person in a wheelchair like me to transfer onto this cart safely. My mom, friends and I think it would be great idea if they offer a wheelchair accessible golf cart or vehicle that a wheelchair could wheel onto and take a tour of the English Village and Wampanoag Homesite.

Kenny & Company still chose to give Plimoth Plantation only TWO STARS for wheelchair accessibility. In order to earn the other Three Stars they would need to cover the pipes under the accessible restroom sinks; lower the cashier counter in the Gift Shop; pave all of the outdoor paths (some are currently paved); make the slopes less steep; or provide wheelchair access to the ‘staff only’ short cut paths’.

Ideally we think it would be best if they provide wheelchair access via a ramp or lift to a larger golf cart or vehicle for persons in a wheelchair to take to the English Village and the Wampanoag Homesite.

Overall, Plimoth Plantation is a great place to visit to get a taste of what it was like to live in an English Village and Wampanoag Homesite in Plymouth MA in the year 1627.

We hope you all enjoyed our video of Plimoth Plantation!!!!