News & Events
The Plymouth Historical Alliance (PHA) will partner with General Society of Mayflower Descendants and others to host Pirates Ashore in Plymouth, a free program of Pirate and Pilgrim fun for all ages.
Watch a band of legendary pirates sail into Plymouth Harbor on Saturday, May 16, 2015 to reenact the historic spring of 1646, when a crew of 80 English pirates descended on the quiet Pilgrim town.
Later in the day, visit the Pirate Encampment at the Mayflower Society House, 4 Winslow Street, Plymouth for reenactments of reveling and feasting, musket and pike drills, and swordplay.
Just a few short years from now, 2020 will be upon us, marking the 400th anniversary of the voyage of the Mayflower and the founding of Plymouth Colony. This is an exciting opportunity for GSMD to commemorate our Pilgrim ancestors and to share their inspirational story with the world!
To organize commemoration events and initiatives, GSMD has created a planning committee at the national level. Many of our 52 member societies are preparing for the 2020 Commemoration as well. Here, you will find everything you need to know about our plans for 2020 and the plans of our member societies, so check back often for updates.
GSMD's first 2020 initiative is to push for the United States Congress to pass an Act directing the US Mint to issue a commemorative coin series recognizing key historical elements surrounding the Mayflower voyage and the establishment of Plymouth colony.
Whether you are a member of GSMD or not, whether you are a Pilgrim descendant or not, we are asking for your help to make this project a reality! This project is for everyone, so keep reading to see how you can help.
George Garmany
Assistant Governor General
Chair, GSMD 2020 Committee
This article by Franklin E smith, appears in the March 2015 edition of the Mayflower Quarterly published by the General Society of Mayflower Descendants.
The first recorded celebration of the landing of the Pilgrims took place on Tuesday, 29 October 1850, the day California celebrated its admission into the United States becoming the thirty-first state of the Union. There was a parade though San Francisco that began with a thunderous artillery salute by the United States Army. In the square a crowd had assembled to watch the American flag run up the staff which was copied in all parts of the city. Ships from around the world stood offshore dressed up for the occasion. The streets where filled with a joyous multitude as the Military, Fire Department, civic companies, and societies prepared to march.
MUCH AWAITED ELDER WILLIAM BREWSTER GENEALOGY VOLUME IS RELEASED BY GENERAL SOCIETY OF MAYFLOWER DESCENDANTS' 'GSMD SILVER BOOKS' SERIES
A leader in Pilgrim genealogy research, The Mayflower Society has published its latest genealogy resource book, volume 24 of the 'GSMD Silver Books' series, The Descendants of Elder William Brewster, Part 1, Generations 1 through 4, written by Barbara Lambert Merrick and edited by Scott Andrew Bartley.
The Mayflower Quarterly, our venerable publication, is getting ready to change.