Meetinghouse History
The Mayflower Pilgrims’ first Meetinghouse was built at the top of Leyden Street in Plymouth in 1622. Records of the Pilgrim ancestors were stored there and passed on from congregation to congregation through the years. This is the fifth spiritual structure built in this location, to honor and memorialize the Mayflower Pilgrims.
The current Meetinghouse was built in 1897, the same year that the General Society of Mayflower Descendants was founded. Thenceforth, families of descendants, historians and tourists from around the world have made regular pilgrimages to this very spot. In fact, our Mayflower descendants have helped to furnish this structure with Tiffany stained-glass windows from the New York and New Jersey Societies, objects in the sanctuary from the Fuller Society, as well as many other contributions through the years.
In 2014, the Meetinghouse was added to both the National Register of Historic Places and the List of Massachusetts’ Most Endangered Resources.
Then In 2018, the First Parish Church congregation, the former owners of the Meetinghouse, decided to donate the Meetinghouse to The Mayflower Society, in order to save and preserve the building.
Today the General Society of Mayflower Descendants is in the process of a complete restoration and upgrade of the Mayflower Meetinghouse.
Future Plans: The Mayflower Society Education Center
The Mayflower Society will bring new life to Plymouth’s Town Square at the Mayflower Meetinghouse with an immersive and multi-media museum experience. The Meetinghouse will become a vessel that pours knowledge into all its visitors as it tells the important Mayflower story. The building itself is part of the story, with beautiful stained-glass windows that tell stories of the Pilgrims as they settled on this very location.
The sanctuary will become part of the story as it envelops visitors in a 360-degree experience. Then, an innovative and compelling group of interactive exhibits downstairs will assist in telling the story in a more personal way.
Additionally, there will be a new entry annex to entertain guests as they make their way into the building and a gift shop as you exit that offers museum quality items for sale.
Support the Mayflower Meetinghouse Project
The current Meetinghouse building was funded back in 1896 by donations from across America, and The Mayflower Society would like to repeat this practice as it raises money to leave a legacy to America’s Family, the Mayflower Pilgrims.
Donors who contribute $500 to this restoration project will receive one of these exclusive Mayflower Meetinghouse Serving Trays. Each tray is hand crafted from the slate tiles that roofed the 1897 Meetinghouse Church. These trays are more than mere decorative pieces; they are tangible connection to a storied past, blending history, architecture and functionality into an exquisite fusion. As a token of gratitude for your generosity, these one of a kind serving trays will serve as a beautiful keepsake and a constant reminder of your role in this extraordinary legacy.
Make a Donation
Please consider a donation to help The Mayflower Society tell this important story for generations to come.
Checks should be made payable to:
The Mayflower Society with ‘Meetinghouse’ in the subject line.
Mail to:
The Mayflower Society
18 Winslow Street
Plymouth, MA 02360
Project Update
As the renovation project of the Mayflower Meetinghouse continues, part of the effort involves the restoration of a series of bells located in the tower of the building. A chime consisting of ten cast bronze bells, forged by the Meneely Company of Troy, New York, will be refurbished under contract by the talents of the Verdin Company of Cincinnati, Ohio.
Thank you for your dedication and generosity to preserve the story of our Pilgrim ancestors.
The General Society is honored to work with all who are dedicated to the heritage of our Mayflower ancestors.
For more information about the Mayflower Meetinghouse, contact the Meetinghouse Development Chair, Mark Schmidt: mschmidt@themayflowersociety.org