Grade VI Meets Goodwife Hopkins

Yesterday morning boys in Grade VI welcomed Vicki Oman, a historical interpreter from Plimoth Plantation.  For a full hour she was in character as Goodwife Elizabeth Hopkins, a pilgrim from England who survived the voyage of the Mayflower to America.

Goodwife Hopkins explained the political and religious situation in England as well as the personal circumstances that lead to her passage on the Mayflower with her husband and two stepchildren.  She told us in grim detail about the miserable conditions of living under deck.  To put it gently, it was dark and crowded, and the passengers were constantly sick.  She managed to survive, even giving birth to a son along the way, and was one of five women to make it to Cape Cod where they settled.  Only four women made it through the first winter, and they cooked for over a hundred men.  The men engaged in trading corn for beaver pelts, which were valuable in England.

Goodwife Hopkins brought corn, a beaver pelt, and some children’s games for the boys to pass around the room.  Two lucky sixth graders got to try on reproduction children’s clothing, to everyone’s delight.  Thanks to Ms. Oman for her convincing performance and for introducing the sixth grade to Goodwife Hopkins.