America's first settlers in present day New England are some of the most memorable subjects from a schoolchild's first history class. While the Pilgrim's first Thanksgiving celebration and their ship called the Mayflower are well remembered, other dates and names are easily forgotten. One of the names that is forever woven into American history is the Pilgrim's landing site, Plymouth Rock.
   Plymouth Rock has been chipped away by souvenir hunters, carved upon, moved several times and broken into two pieces over the last three centuries. Doubts about its authenticity abound, although Elder Thomas Faunce, Plymouth's first record keeper, was certain of the great rock's location. Here the Pilgrims first set foot on solid ground in December 1620 when they finally departed the Mayflower.
   Plymouth visitors and history buffs will find the rock has been moved back to the bottom of Cole's Hill and is surrounded by a fitting Ionic portico along a picturesque promenade. Here in Plymouth Harbor the historic rock and replica Mayflower are part of Pilgrim Memorial State Park, located about 40 miles south of Boston, Massachusetts.

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