News & Press

A Nation’s Story Sails On: Mayflower II to Participate in Sail Boston

Historic event to mark the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding

Plymouth, Massachusetts (June 23, 2026) – Plimoth Patuxet Museums is pleased to announce that Mayflower II, the Museum’s full-scale reproduction of the tall ship that brought the Pilgrims across the Atlantic Ocean in 1620 and modern centerpiece of Plymouth Harbor, will participate in Sail Boston this July.

Taking place Saturday, July 11 through Thursday, July 16, Sail Boston will bring a spectacular fleet of international tall ships and military ships into the port of Boston to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This once-in-a-generation event will offer crews, cadets, and visitors from around the world an unforgettable maritime celebration.

“Mayflower II is a floating classroom and tangible reminder of how revolutionary ideas started here, in Patuxet and Plymouth,” said Executive Director Tom Begley. “We are honored to participate in Sail Boston as a way to commemorate the United States’ Semiquincentennial and to share this special, educational resource with audiences gathered in the city for this historic event.”

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2020, Mayflower II is a national treasure in her own right, deemed historically significant for her association with the founding story of the United States and as a full-scale ship that embodies the distinctive characteristics of a 17th-century English merchant vessel.

“Mayflower II is more than a symbol,” said Captain Whit Perry, Kenneth Shaw Safe Jr. Director of Maritime & Historic Preservation. “She is a living ship with a living story, and our entire maritime team is proud to steward and share that story with the city of Boston.”

Sail Boston will offer multiple opportunities for the public to engage with Mayflower II, including scheduled public visitation days July 11- July 15 (times will vary) when guests can explore the ship, learn about its history, and meet members of the maritime crew who preserve and operate the vessel.

A curated lineup of philanthropic ticketed events aboard Mayflower II during Sail Boston have been carefully designed to inspire, connect, and celebrate. From exclusive gatherings on deck to the breathtaking Parade of Sail, proceeds from these experiences support the Museum’s educational mission and Mayflower II’s preservation. These opportunities include:

  • Welcome Sail in Boston Harbor - Friday, July 10 from 10:30 AM to 2 PM
  • Spars Under the Stars - Friday, July 10 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
  • Parade of Sail - Saturday, July 11 from 6:30 AM to 1 PM
  • Sunset Sail in Boston Harbor - Tuesday, July 14 from 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM

Mayflower II will be away from her home berth in Plymouth from July 8 through July 17 to participate in Sail Boston. She is expected to re-open at State Pier in Plymouth for regular visitation on Saturday, July 18.

To learn more about Mayflower II’s participation in Sail Boston and explore ticketed events, please visit: https://plimoth.org/mayflower-sails-2026.

Plimoth Patuxet Museums is open seven days a week, 9 am - 5 pm, now through the Sunday following Thanksgiving Day.

About Plimoth Patuxet

Plimoth Patuxet is one of the Nation’s foremost living history museums. Founded in 1947, the Museum creates engaging experiences of history built on thorough research about the Indigenous and European people who met along Massachusetts' historic shores in the 1600s. Major exhibits include the Historic Patuxet Homesite, the 17th-Century English Village, Mayflower II, and Plimoth Grist Mill. A private, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational institution, Plimoth Patuxet is supported by admission fees, donations, memberships, and revenue from educational programs, gift shops and dining. Plimoth Patuxet receives support from private foundations, corporations, and local businesses. Located less than an hour’s drive south of Boston, and 15 minutes north of Cape Cod, the Museum is open daily from early spring through the Sunday after Thanksgiving. For more information, visit plimoth.org. Follow the Museum on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and X/Twitter.