The History of Thanksgiving and the Enduring Legacy of Soapstone

Saying “thank you” is a universal way to express gratitude across all languages. Being thankful helps you feel better, worry less, and stay more positive. Writing in a gratitude journal makes the benefits even stronger (Nedley Health, n.d.).

Definition of Thanksgiving

“Thanksgiving: the act of giving thanks; a prayer expressing gratitude; a public acknowledgment or celebration of divine goodness” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary, n.d.). This timeless definition reminds us that Thanksgiving is not just a holiday—it is a reflection of humanity’s enduring spirit of gratitude.

What Is a Pilgrim?

The word pilgrim comes from the Latin peregrinus, meaning traveler or outsider.

Who Were the Mayflower Pilgrims of the 1600s?

For the Mayflower Pilgrims, the term “pilgrim” meant someone traveling to a distant, unfamiliar place—which, for Europeans at the time, was America, part of the “New World.” They arrived in 1621 at Plymouth, Massachusetts, landing at what came to be known as Plymouth Rock. Their journey symbolized courage and faith in search of a new beginning.

What Was the Mayflower?

The Mayflower was a historic ship best known for transporting the Pilgrims from England to North America in 1620. It carried approximately 102 passengers who sought a place to worship freely and start anew in the New World.

What Is the Pilgrims’ Story?

The Pilgrims’ story is one of faith, endurance, and the desire for religious freedom. Fleeing persecution in Europe, they crossed the Atlantic to find a place where they could worship according to their conscience. Their journey represents the enduring pursuit of liberty and divine providence during an era of spiritual struggle. The Pilgrims’ quest for freedom echoes the biblical narrative of seeking refuge from oppression to find a place of peace and worship.

Image Source: Art Images via Getty Images, The Landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth, Massachusetts, December 22nd, 1620, published by Currier & Ives.

American Thanksgiving

American Thanksgiving is a holiday celebrated every fourth Thursday in November. It originated in 1621 when Pilgrims and Indigenous Americans came together in Plymouth, Massachusetts, to share a harvest meal and give thanks (Morning Chores, n.d.).

The first Thanksgiving in 1621 was not about fancy kitchens—it was about open fires, hot stones, and simple pots. Indigenous cooks had been using soapstone vessels for centuries, giving meals a warm, rustic flavor that reflected their deep relationship with the earth and the land’s resources.

Image Source: Plymouth Rock (Wikipedia, n.d.)

Pilgrims and Early Settlers Use Soapstone

Pilgrims and early settlers cooked with soapstone because it was tough, retained heat well, and was easy to shape. Also called steatite, it could be heated in a fire and would hold and spread the heat, making it ideal for cooking stews and hearty dishes. Archaeological experiments have investigated the thermal conductivity of soapstone bowls and discovered that they retain heat exceptionally well (University of Virginia Library, n.d.-a).

Image Source: University of Virginia Online Exhibits, Vessel, steatite, ca. 2500–500 BC, on loan from Monticello, the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, Inc.

Eleven of twelve sooted soapstone vessels from a cache found at Claiborne (22HA501), Mississippi, demonstrate how widely soapstone was used in early cooking traditions (University of Florida, n.d.).

Colonists in Vermont also relied on soapstone to craft stoves and cooking vessels, bringing heat and comfort to their winter homes (Conn, 2017).

The Settler’s Radiator: Soapstone

Image Source: Article by Carole Conn , Apr 24, 2017, on https://www.ctcountryantiques.com/post/2017/04/22/the-settlers-radiator-soapstone 

Soapstone placed in the hearth held the fire’s warmth long after the flames had faded, keeping rooms cozy through cold nights.

Soapstone in fireplace hearth. 

Image Source: Article by Carole Conn  Apr 24, 2017 on https://www.ctcountryantiques.com/post/2017/04/22/the-settlers-radiator-soapstone

In the 18th century, archaeologists found evidence of soapstone being used by Colonial settlers for counters, sinks, and bed warmers (Paul White Company, n.d.). Soapstone—treasured for thousands of years for its ability to retain and release heat evenly—connected communities to the land and to each other. It was durable, reliable, and perfectly suited for preparing food to share at gatherings of gratitude.

Canadian Thanksgiving

Canadian Thanksgiving has unique origins that distinguish it from the American holiday, predating the United States Thanksgiving at Plymouth Plantation by 43 years. The Canadian holiday was initially created to express thanks for explorers’ safe voyages into the New World. Over time, it evolved into a religious celebration of gratitude for a bountiful fall harvest.

The first Canadian Thanksgiving was reportedly hosted in 1578 by the English explorer Martin Frobisher in what is now Newfoundland. Frobisher and his expedition were attempting to navigate the Northwest Passage, and after enduring storms, ice, and damage to their ships, they were grateful simply to have arrived safely (Western Union, n.d.; CBC Kids, n.d.).

Image Source: Library and Archives Canada/National Archives of Canada fonds, The Order of Good Cheer, 1606 (L’Ordre de Bon Temps), depicting feasts hosted by Samuel de Champlain.

Soapstone in Modern Times

Just as the Pilgrims and Indigenous peoples used heated stones and simple fire-based methods to prepare their Thanksgiving meal in 1621, today Soapstone Pros’ grilling stone carries forward that timeless tradition—offering a natural, enduring way to cook and celebrate gratitude.

Soapstone’s natural ability to absorb and radiate heat evenly ensures that modern holiday recipes capture the essence of old-world cooking while providing modern convenience. Celebrate gratitude the authentic way—with food prepared on a stone as enduring as Thanksgiving itself.

Image Source: Soapstone Pros Photos.

Today, Soapstone Pros’ grilling stone offers a way to connect modern celebrations with ancient cooking traditions. Just as the Pilgrims and Indigenous peoples once gathered around open fires, today’s families can celebrate Thanksgiving with meals that honor history, community, and nature.

This Thanksgiving, when you gather with family and friends, celebrate with food that connects past to present. A meal prepared on soapstone is more than delicious—it’s a living tribute to gratitude, history, and the enduring power of cooking with nature.

Bring history to your table this Thanksgiving.

References

CBC Kids. (n.d.). What’s the story: Thanksgiving? https://www.cbc.ca/kids/articles/whats-the-story-thanksgiving

Conn, C. (2017, April 24). The settler’s radiator: Soapstone. Connecticut Country Antiques. https://www.ctcountryantiques.com/post/2017/04/22/the-settlers-radiator-soapstone

Morning Chores. (n.d.). Traditional Thanksgiving recipes. https://morningchores.com/traditional-thanksgiving-recipes/

Nedley Health. (n.d.). Unleash your gratitude potential. https://www.nedleyhealth.com/post/unleash-your-gratitude-potential

Paul White Company. (n.d.). Soapstone 101: The most misunderstood stone.

University of Florida. (n.d.). Soapstone vessel dating project. https://lsa.anthro.ufl.edu/projects/soapstone-vessel-dating-project/

University of Virginia Library. (n.d.-a). Layers of the past: Discoveries at Flowerdew Hundred.

Western Union. (n.d.). Everything you need to know about Canadian Thanksgiving. https://www.westernunion.com/blog/en/ca/everything-you-need-to-know-about-canadian-thanksgiving/

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Plymouth Rock. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plymouth_Rock

Merriam-Webster Dictionary. (n.d.). Thanksgiving. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Thanksgiving