Camilla Townsend, expert on Native American history, discusses America's first Thanksgiving in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1621. She explains why the pilgrims held a celebration feast, reveals the menu and guests, and discusses the relationship between the pilgrims and Native Americans. The podcast also explores the accuracy of the story, the role of Sguanto in the pilgrims' survival, and the inter-generational transmission of Native American losses.
The first Thanksgiving in America was a collaborative effort between the Pilgrims and Native Americans, with the Native Americans teaching the Pilgrims how to farm and coming together for a meal.
The traditional Thanksgiving meal that we know today was not the same as the first Thanksgiving in 1621, and the interactions between the Pilgrims and Native Americans ultimately led to devastating consequences for the Native American populations.
Deep dives
The First Thanksgiving Celebration
The first Thanksgiving celebration in America took place in November 1621, in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The Pilgrims, who had arrived the year before, worked closely with a Patuxet Indian named Tisquantum (also known as Squanto) to celebrate their first harvest. The Native Americans taught the Pilgrims how to farm in the area, and the two groups came together for a meal. However, this celebration marked the beginning of devastating losses for the Native American populations, as they were eventually pushed off their land and faced warfare with the European settlers.
Food at the First Thanksgiving
The traditional Thanksgiving meal as we know it today was actually invented in the 19th century, while the first Thanksgiving dinner took place in 1621. At that time, the Pilgrims hunted wild birds like turkeys and ducks for meat, and they likely had corn (grains like wheat and barley), cranberries, and various vegetables from their gardens. Bread was not widely available, so they probably ate Indian-style bread made from ground corn, and other staple crops like potatoes and sweet potatoes.
Interactions between Pilgrims and Native Americans
The interactions between the Pilgrims and Native Americans during the time of the first Thanksgiving were a mix of cooperation and mutual benefits. The Pilgrims were dependent on the Native Americans for farming knowledge and trade. The Native Americans saw an opportunity to trade for goods and information. Although there were cultural and religious differences, both groups were farming peoples and had ways to communicate. However, it is important to note that these interactions led to the gradual loss of land and devastating consequences for the Native American populations.
The Native American Perspective
The story of the first Thanksgiving is not celebrated in the same way from the Native American perspective. While they still participate in Thanksgiving festivities today, they do not celebrate the narrative of a harmonious and joyful gathering. For Native Americans, the first Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the end for their people and their land. They remember the devastating losses and the continued struggles they face as a result of the colonization by European settlers.
Camilla Townsend is a Distinguished Professor of History at Rutgers University-New Brunswick. She is an expert on Native American history. During this special Thanksgiving Day edition of Frank Buckley Interviews, Professor Townsend discusses America's first Thanksgiving in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1621.
Professor Townsend explains why the religious separatists (who we refer to as pilgrims) who had arrived in America from England in 1620, decided to hold a celebration feast. She reveals what was on the menu, who was invited, and how Native Americans participated. Professor Townsend also explains the relationship between the pilgrims and Native Americans and how it changed over time.