The Plymouth Tapestry is an heirloom embroidery commissioned by Pilgrim Hall Museum to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Plymouth Colony’s founding. Telling the story of Plymouth through handcrafted needlework, it is the creative vision of a sole artist, Elizabeth Creeden of Plymouth, working in collaboration with a dedicated group of volunteer stitchers.

The Plymouth Tapestry illustrates the experiences of the Wampanoag people who inhabited the area for thousands of years, and the story of the Pilgrims, the English settlers who arrived on the Mayflower in 1620 to establish a new home.
Through hand-stitched imagery and text, each panel represents events in the distinct yet intertwined histories of the Indigenous and European families who encountered each other in the early colony. The needlework narrative traces their evolving stories through the 1621 harvest gathering known as “The First Thanksgiving.”

Elizabeth Creeden began designing the work in 2018. The following year, stitching on the Plymouth Tapestry began in earnest. The work is ongoing and expected to continue into 2026.

When complete, the Tapestry will consist of twenty separate 6-ft. long scenic panels, each embroidered entirely by hand. The finished masterwork will span 120 feet and will be preserved as a treasured highlight of the Museum collection. A special exhibition is planned on completion.