From Plymouth Rock to the Battle of Bunker Hill: Nathaniel Philbrick to Deliver Keynote Address at Plimoth Patuxet Fundraiser

Plymouth, Massachusetts (May 7, 2026) – Plimoth Patuxet Museums will welcome acclaimed historian and National Book Award–winning author Nathaniel Philbrick for a special fundraising event, From Plymouth Rock to the Battle of Bunker Hill, on Friday, May 29, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:30 pm.

Part of the Museum’s “Revolutionary Ideas Started Here” America 250 commemorations, the evening will highlight the enduring ideas of liberty, self-governance, and community that took root in Patuxet/Plymouth during the 17th and 18th centuries. Nathaniel Philbrick will vividly bring these early chapters of history to life for attendees through his celebrated storytelling.

“Massachusetts played a pivotal role in the origins of American democracy,” said Executive Director Tom Begley. “By exploring the diverse histories and perspectives rooted in Patuxet/Plymouth, we gain a deeper understanding of our shared past and its connection to the present. We are honored to welcome Nathaniel Philbrick to help illuminate these enduring themes.”

Nathaniel Philbrick is the author of eight New York Times bestselling works of American history, including In the Heart of the Sea, winner of the 2000 National Book Award, Mayflower, a finalist for the 2007 Pulitzer Prize in History; a trilogy about the American Revolution that includes Valiant Ambition, winner of the George Washington Book Prize. His writing has appeared in Vanity Fair, the New York Times Book Review, The Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times, and The Boston Globe. Philbrick is an honorary trustee at Plimoth Patuxet Museums, and delivered the keynote address at Mayflower II’s launch in September 2019 during the ship’s award winning stem-to-stern restoration. During the 2019 launch, Philbrick noted “Mayflower II is a source of inspiration to those in search of new beginnings and the possibility of multi-cultural cooperation in this nation of immigrants. She also speaks to the dark truths underlying the settlement of New England and America. Upon her return to Plymouth Harbor she will once again become a kind of time machine…to a past that only gains in resonance and importance with each passing day.”

 “Programs like this invite our guests to engage deeply with the human stories behind the history,” said Deputy Executive Director and Senior Historian Richard Pickering. “Nathaniel Philbrick’s scholarship reflects the complexity of early America, bringing forward voices, conflicts, and ideals that continue to shape the understanding of our civic identities.”

The evening will begin with a cocktail reception, followed by Philbrick’s keynote address. Eastern Bank is the lead sponsor of the event. All proceeds directly support the Museum’s educational mission, and help to preserve and share these important stories for future generations.

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