Newsletter Subscriber

Name:

Email:


Find us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter


Mayflower House
Museum House

The Mayflower House A Short Stroll from Plymouth Rock

Across the street and around the corner from Plymouth Rock, in the heart of this quaint village’s historic district, is the Mayflower Society House. The grounds host the historic eighteenth century dwelling built by Edward Winslow. Behind this stately mansion are the offices and library of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants. The property overlooks a snug harbor where a reproduction of the blessed ship, The Mayflower, is moored. Cole’s Hill, the final resting place of many of the Pilgrims, may also be seen.


A Short Stroll from Plymouth Rock

Across the street and around the corner from Plymouth Rock, in the heart of this quaint village’s historic district, is the Mayflower Society House. The grounds host the historic eighteenth century dwelling built by Edward Winslow. Behind this stately mansion are the offices and library of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants. The property overlooks a snug harbor where a reproduction of the blessed ship, The Mayflower, is moored. Cole’s Hill, the final resting place of many of the Pilgrims, may also be seen.

Mayflower Society House Museum - 2011 Schedule

Hours 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

  • May 27 - 29
  • June 3 - 5
  • June 10 -12
  • June 17 - October 2
  • October 7 - 9
  • October 14 - 16
  • October 21 - 23

You are cordially invited to visit us during your stay in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Take a guided tour of the historic house of Edward Winslow and stop in at our library. We would enjoy meeting you, telling you more about our organization and the history of this celebrated site.

Experience Eighteenth Century Living

A significant accomplishment of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants was the purchase, in 1941, of the Edward Winslow House in Plymouth, Massachusetts. It is a beautiful residence, with a great deal of dignity and atmosphere. Its location on North Street is historic, as this was one of the five original roads laid out by the Pilgrims for their colony.

Edward Winslow, the great-grandson of Edward Winslow, third Governor of Plymouth Colony, constructed the house. Young Edward attended Harvard College, then settled in Plymouth where he became Clerk of the Court, Registrar of Probate and Collector of the Port. In 1741, he married the widow Hannah, a sister of Consider Howland, and built this house thirteen years later.

During this era, revolutionary fervor was blazing but Winslow remained a Royalist, and outspoken supporter of the King. This ultimately cost him his town offices and he fled to New York after the evacuation of Boston by the British. When he left Plymouth the house was sold to pay off his debts.

The house changed hands over the years with the Jackson family owning it, then Lucia J. Briggs using it as a summer residence until 1898. It was purchased by Charles L. Willoughby of Chicago who again used it as a summerhouse. The Mayflower Society was fortunate to obtain the house on the eve of World War II. Over the years different owners made additions to the structure and altered its gardens. Details of these alterations will be discussed during your tour of the house. An informative booklet discussing the story of the Mayflower Society House in depth is also available through the Society.

The Mayflower House Museum
4 Winslow Street
Plymouth, MA 02360-3313
museum@themayflowersociety.com
(508) 746-2590


View Larger Map
 
Library

The Mayflower House Directly Behind the Mayflower House Museum

Tucked behind the Mayflower House Museum is the library. Each year, thousands of hopeful genealogy seekers travel to Plymouth to look for a link to the Mayflower.  A knowledgeable staff, headed up by the Historian General, is available to assist those who visit. Friendly volunteers willingly show guests around and help to find valuable documentation. Behind the scenes, verifiers are combing through applications and approving or rejecting potential members for the Mayflower Society.


We welcome one and all, and our knowledgeable staff is always ready to assist researchers, historians, genealogists and the occasional tourist. We also accept lineage requests and other inquiries via email (library@themayflowersociety.com). There is a small research fee for non-members, a fee for using the copying machines and a fee for extensive research. The copy of an approved lineage paper costs $10.00.

GSMD published genealogy books are available at the library to use in your research. They are also available for purchase along with gift items pertaining to the Pilgrims The library is open Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM to 3.30 PM year round, except holidays. We are not open on weekends.

Directions to the Library: The Library is located off of MA Route 3. From the North, take Exit 6A. From the South, take Exit 6. Going East toward Plymouth Center, Turn right onto Court Street. After 0.3 mile, turn left onto North Street. In 0.1 mile, turn slight left onto Winslow Street and left onto the driveway along the side of the Museum to the Library.


View Larger Map
 
Plymouth

The Mayflower II The Mayflower II and other attractions

Berthed a few steps from Plymouth Rock, the Mayflower II is a full-scale reproduction of the type of ship that brought the Pilgrims from England to America in 1620.


Finding out that your ancestors travelled on the Mayflower is a deeply moving experience. Usually the first thing people do upon learning about a Mayflower connection is visit Plymouth, Massachusetts, where the Pilgrims disembarked from the Mayflower in 1620.

Whether you are seeking answers to your own genealogy, are curious about American history, or just looking for a fun and educational vacation, Plymouth will not disappoint. Museums, attractions, great food, and comfortable hotel accommodations are all within easy walking distance.