Did they eat turkey on the first Thanksgiving? This question has intrigued historians and enthusiasts for decades. The traditional imagery of the first Thanksgiving feast often features a roasted turkey, but the historical evidence suggests that the first Thanksgiving might not have included this iconic bird.
The first Thanksgiving took place in 1621, at the Plymouth Colony in what is now Massachusetts. It was a celebration of the harvest and a sign of gratitude to the Native American Wampanoag people for their help in teaching the colonists how to survive in the New World. According to Edward Winslow, a passenger on the Mayflower and a member of the Plymouth Colony, the feast lasted three days and included a variety of foods.
Winslow’s account of the feast mentions deer, fish, lobsters, clams, fowl, and a variety of vegetables, but no mention of turkey. It’s possible that the Wampanoag people, who were more accustomed to the local wildlife, may have brought fowl, which could have been chickens or other birds, to the feast. However, there is no definitive evidence to suggest that turkey was served.
The myth of the turkey at the first Thanksgiving may have originated from a painting by artist Jean Leon Gerome Ferris in 1914. The painting, titled “The First Thanksgiving at Plymouth,” depicts a feast with a large turkey on the table. This image has since become the most widespread representation of the first Thanksgiving, but it is important to note that it is a work of art and not a historical document.
As for why turkey became the symbol of Thanksgiving, it’s believed that the bird’s association with abundance and its suitability for roasting and serving in large quantities contributed to its popularity. By the 19th century, turkey had become a central part of Thanksgiving celebrations across the United States.
In conclusion, while the image of the turkey at the first Thanksgiving is deeply ingrained in American culture, the historical evidence suggests that turkey was not served at the original feast. The first Thanksgiving was a celebration of gratitude and the sharing of resources, and the menu likely reflected the foods that were available and culturally relevant to the people at the time.
