National Treasure and Jewel of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Mayflower II, will sail this August

Plymouth, Massachusetts (July 9, 2025) – Plimoth Patuxet Museums (formerly Plimoth Plantation) is proud to announce that Mayflower II will be undersail in Cape Cod Bay at the start of August. It has been five years since she was last undersail in New England during her triumphant homecoming in 2020 following an award-winning restoration. Since then, the historic tall ship was named on the National Register of Historic Places and has been welcoming hundreds of thousands of guests annually at State Pier in Plymouth, MA.

Mayflower II will be undergoing a week of sail training and a United States Coast Guard inspection and renewed certification from August 4 through August 7. She undergoes inspections by the United States Coast Guard to ensure her seaworthiness and compliance with safety regulations. “We are excited about the prospect of residents and visitors seeing the ship undersail off the coast,” said Tom Begley, Executive Director. “It is an opportunity for all of us to witness a majestic tall ship sailing off Plymouth, to remember the journey of 1620, and to honor the Indigenous Peoples of this land who have lived here since time immemorial.”

In the days prior to the week of sail training on August 2 & 3, visitors to the ship may be able to observe dockside training during regular business hours. Mayflower II will be closed to the public along with her exhibit at State Pier in Plymouth, MA, from August 4 through August 8. Residents along Plymouth County’s coast will be able to view the ship under sail in Cape Cod Bay during this time in the late mornings and early afternoons. On Friday, August 8, Plimoth Patuxet will host a philanthropic public sail in commemoration of Massachusetts 250, with proceeds supporting the ship’s maintenance and annual operations.

Of the hundreds of ships that made the transatlantic crossing in the 1600s, Mayflower is the ship we remember. Over three hundred years later, on June 13, 1957, Mayflower II arrived in Plymouth Harbor, marking a renewed friendship between the United Kingdom and the United States. Since then, Mayflower II has become the majestic centerpiece of historic Plymouth Harbor, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the United States of America.

The signing of the Mayflower Compact on November 11, 1620, marked the birthplace of self-government in the British Atlantic world. This moment played a critical role in the United States’ constitutional tradition and the American Revolution that followed a century later. In many ways, America is the product of the events that happened along these shores of change over four centuries ago—the choices made, risks taken, and the adaptation of community structure to new civic realities. “The conversations and ideas that took root along these shores carved a path to the American Revolution with the founding idea of forming a civil body politic,” said Begley. “Mayflower II is a unique education resource that allows us to better understand American history as it tangibly embodies how revolutionary ideas started here. We are proud to commemorate Massachusetts 250 with the philanthropic public sail.”

Mayflower II is a national treasure in her own right—more than twenty-five million people have stepped aboard her decks to imagine the perils and contemplate the modern impacts of the historic 1620 crossing. Today, the ship is a floating classroom and working vessel. On a bi-annual maintenance schedule, the ship must also meet United States Coast Guard certifications to keep her sailing. “United States Coast Guard inspections are a critical step to ensure Mayflower II remains seaworthy for generations to come,” said Captain of the Mayflower II Whit Perry, Plimoth Patuxet’s Kenneth Shaw Safe Jr. Director of Maritime Preservation and Operations. “While she is under sail this summer to commemorate Massachusetts 250, she will also receive this important certification.”

To help support Mayflower II while the ship and exhibit are closed to the public — a traditionally busy week for visitors — Plimoth Patuxet is opening up the opportunity for generous individuals to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime daysail aboard the national treasure. In recognition of a $5,000 donation in support of her annual operations and routine maintenance, donors will be invited to board the ship on Friday, August 8 and sail Cape Cod Bay (each $5,000 donation garners one person sailing aboard Mayflower II). “Though limited in quantity and for those who are able to support the ship with a meaningful contribution, all of us at the Museum are thrilled to have the opportunity to bring maritime and history enthusiasts together for a remarkable and memorable sailing experience aboard Mayflower II. The funds raised through this sail will directly support Mayflower II and her exhibit, ensuring she remains shipshape and maintained in Bristol fashion following her stem-to-stern restoration,” said Captain of the Mayflower II Whit Perry, Plimoth Patuxet’s Kenneth Shaw Safe Jr. Director of Maritime Preservation and Operations.

For those who are interested in learning more about the philanthropic public sail, they may visit www.plimoth.org/mayflower-sails-2025.