MEDIA ADVISORY: Plimoth Patuxet Museums Updates Transit Schedule for Mayflower II’s Return to Plymouth Harbor from Mystic Seaport Museum
The ship’s travel schedule is entirely dependent on various factors such as weather conditions, and therefore subject to change without notice.
Plymouth, Massachusetts (April 9, 2024) – Plimoth Patuxet Museums, the acclaimed living history museum of 17th-century New England, announced today that Mayflower II, the Museum’s historic reproduction of the ship that carried the Pilgrims to the shores of Patuxet in 1620, is scheduled to begin the return journey from Mystic, Connecticut to her berth at the State Pier in Plymouth harbor at approximately 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 10th. Once the ship gets underway from Mystic Seaport Museum, the transit will be non-stop and will take approximately 20 to 25 hours to complete. Accompanied by Plimoth Patuxet’s Maritime Preservation and Operations team, the 106-foot ship will be towed by Stasinos Marine, based out of Weymouth.
The ship’s travel schedule is entirely dependent on various factors such as weather conditions, and therefore subject to change without notice.
The 67-year-old wooden vessel spent the winter months in dry dock at the Henry B. duPont Preservation Shipyard at Mystic Seaport for routine maintenance and painting. Plimoth Patuxet is grateful to the Institute of Museum and Library Services for the Save America’s Treasures grant which supported Mayflower II’s essential maintenance work, including cleaning, painting, and repairing of the vessel’s seams. This helps to mitigate damages caused by the environment.
“As pillars of our communities, libraries and museums bring people together by providing important programs, services, and collections. These institutions are trusted spaces where people can learn, explore and grow,” said IMLS Director Crosby Kemper. “IMLS is proud to support their initiatives through our grants as they educate and enhance their communities."
“Since Mayflower II’s arrival in 1957, the ship has been visited by millions of people from all over the world,” said Plimoth Patuxet Museums’ Executive Director Ellie Donovan. “We are thankful for IMLS recognizing the importance of this treasured landmark and for helping to ensure she will be preserved for generations to come.”
Plimoth Patuxet expects to open Mayflower II to the public on Saturday, April 13th at 9:00 a.m. For more information, visit plimoth.org. Track Mayflower II’s progress along her journey and look for updates on Plimoth Patuxet’s Facebook page.
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 of change in the 1600s. Immersive and educational encounters underscore the collaborations as well as the cultural clash and conflicts of the 17th-century people of this region. 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 a variety of educational programming, dining and gift shops. Plimoth Patuxet receives support from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, 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, and Twitter.
About IMLS
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's libraries and museums. We advance, support, and empower America's museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development. IMLS envisions a nation where individuals and communities have access to museums and libraries to learn from and be inspired by the trusted information, ideas, and stories they contain about our diverse natural and cultural heritage. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.