Pilgrim Party at Provincetown Museum honors 1st landing & 1st Thanksgiving

By Staff Reporters 

Provincetown Banner

The 391^st anniversary of the Pilgrims’ first landing in the New World in Provincetown Harbor and the 390^th anniversary of the Pilgrims’ first Thanksgiving in Plymouth will be celebrated on Nov. 11, 2011, or 11-11-11, in a Pilgrim Party at the Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum.

The party was a concept created by Chatham resident Ron Nickerson as a way to mark the day 11-11-11, because he thought it was important to remember Nov. 11, 1620, the day the Mayflower sailed into Provincetown Harbor, and also to recognize the 390th anniversary of the Pilgrims’ first Thanksgiving.

The Pilgrim Party will feature a special postal cancellation commemorating the 390^th anniversary of the first Thanksgiving. At 1 p.m., Provincetown Postmaster Kathy Clobridge will release the new hand cancel stamp to commemorate 11-11-11 in the East Gallery. Guests will be able to purchase special 390^th anniversary envelopes for cancellation. This will be followed by a presentation at 2 p.m. by James Baker, author of “Thanksgiving, the Biography of an American Holiday.” This event is one of several PMPM is planning to hold in recognition of the Pilgrims’ landing, culminating with the Annual Lighting of the Pilgrim Monument from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 23.

Baker’s book, “Thanksgiving, the Biography of an American Holiday,” explores how Thanksgiving has evolved into the contemporary celebration it is today. Following Baker’s talk, cake and cider will be served.

The event is free with admission to the museum.