Across the street and around the corner from Plymouth Rock, in the heart of this quaint village’s historic district, is the Mayflower Society House. The grounds host the historic eighteenth century dwelling built by Edward Winslow. Behind this stately mansion are the offices and library of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants. The property overlooks a snug harbor where a reproduction of the blessed ship, The Mayflower, is moored. Cole’s Hill, the final resting place of many of the Pilgrims, may also be seen.

Summer Hours - Sunday - Saturday 11 am to 4 pm. Note that the Museum may be temporarily closed if we are experiencing a heat wave. Call ahead to check, 508-746-2590, if traveling any distance.

You are cordially invited to visit us during your stay in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Take a guided tour of the historic house of Edward Winslow and stop in at our library. We would enjoy meeting you, telling you more about our organization and the history of this celebrated site.

Experience Eighteenth Century Living

A significant accomplishment of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants was the purchase, in 1941, of the Edward Winslow House in Plymouth, Massachusetts. It is a beautiful residence, with a great deal of dignity and atmosphere. Its location on North Street is historic, as this was one of the five original roads laid out by the Pilgrims for their colony.

Edward Winslow, the great-grandson of Edward Winslow, third Governor of Plymouth Colony, constructed the house. Young Edward attended Harvard College, then settled in Plymouth where he became Clerk of the Court, Registrar of Probate and Collector of the Port. In 1741, he married the widow Hannah, a sister of Consider Howland, and built this house thirteen years later.

During this era, revolutionary fervor was blazing but Winslow remained a Royalist, and outspoken supporter of the King. This ultimately cost him his town offices and he fled to New York after the evacuation of Boston by the British. When he left Plymouth the house was sold to pay off his debts.

The house changed hands over the years with the Jackson family owning it, then Lucia J. Briggs using it as a summer residence until 1898. It was purchased by Charles L. Willoughby of Chicago who again used it as a summerhouse. The Mayflower Society was fortunate to obtain the house on the eve of World War II. Over the years different owners made additions to the structure and altered its gardens. Details of these alterations will be discussed during your tour of the house. An informative booklet discussing the story of the Mayflower Society House in depth is also available through the Society.