Past Meetings and Events
Meetings held in 2023
The May meeting was held at the Piscataqua Country Club in Orono, Maine.
The August meeting was canceled for this year
The Founders Day Celebration was held on November 4, 2023 at the Hilton Hotel in Freeport. The Annual Business Meeting was held at 10:30 AM and was followed by dinner at noon. The guest speaker was Governor General Lisa Pennington.
August 6, 2022 – Fort Western in Augusta for the General Maine Membership Meeting. There was a catered BBQ, tours and displays featuring our Pilgrim ancestors. This meeting was informative and exciting!
November 5,2022 – General Maine Membership Business Meeting at 10:30 and Thanksgiving Dinner at noon at the Hilton Garden Inn in Freeport.
Annual Meeting, November 3, 2018
Our annual meeting was held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Freeport, Maine. After a 10:30 business meeting, Governor Carla Rigby called our Compact Day Celebration to order at noon.
Carla is a member of the 2020 Steering Committee and told us of further developments in the festivities which will take place in September of that year. Now there will be a procession of Mayflower descendants on the Boston Common, all in period dress. In addition, there will be many boats traveling between Plymouth and Provincetown during the festivities. Carla also reiterated the strong links Maine has with the Pilgrims, since an expedition went from Plymouth to the Damariscove area in search of fish in 1622 and the catch fed them for quite some time. In addition, the fur trading post that John Howland and other Pilgrims founded on the shore of the Kennebec, next to the current Fort Western, was responsible for the Pilgrims finally being able to pay off their debt to the company in London which sponsored their voyage to the New World. Also, the ground that the Maine State Capitol building stands on was once owned by that same group of Pilgrims. Carla ended by reminding us that we must book our hotel rooms quickly, beginning in the Spring of 2019, if we want to be able to take part in the 2020 festivities.
Carla also mentioned that there was a substitution to the order of the day in that our original speaker, playing the part of Stephen Hopkins, could not attend due to his wife’s illness. Plimoth Plantation sent another reenactor, Vicki Oman, who also happens to be the Director of Education at Plimoth Plantation, and she played the part of Hopkins’ wife. "Elizabeth Hopkins" did an excellent job telling us about her family and answered many questions from the members about early Plimouth.
'Elizabeth Hopkins' addressing members at our annual meeting.
Summer Meeting, August 4, 2018
During our summer meeting held at the Spruce Point Inn In Boothbay Harbor, Living History presenters Michael Dekker and Paul Daiute, dressed in period attire and using period equipment, told of how the cod industry led to the feeding of the pilgrims and the great importance of the catching, processing and preserving fish for the overseas market in the 1600's.
Spring Membership Meeting, May 5, 2018
Our spring meeting was held at the Hilton Inn in Bangor. Shane Roberts of Atlanta spoke about the political and religious history which led to the departure of the pilgrims for a new land.
Annual Meeting, November 18, 2017
We had a lovely Annual Meeting and Luncheon at the Nonantum on Saturday! Albert Grady, Esquire, of Boston spoke of the fascinating interrelationships of our very early settlers. What a gorgeous venue, a first for us and I hope it won't be the last. There was a huge turnout on a beautifully sunny November day... the board meeting with stunning water views was so lovely and then the dinner in the Ballroom was fabulous. Carolyn Small did her usual amazing job organizing the meeting and there were two tables full of Mayflower merchandise for Christmas presents.... The Nonantum was quite the backdrop for our annual Thanksgiving feast with all the cousins.
Summer Meeting, August 5, 2017
The Society of Mayflower Descendants met on August 5, 2017 at the Spruce Point Inn, Boothbay Harbor, for a lovely luncheon meeting attended by over 100 members. Governor Carla Rigby welcomed those attending the event, assisted by Captain Bruce Cargill.
A memorial service honoring those who deceased during the past year was led by Elder Lynn Josselyn with Former Governors Lynde Randall and Virginia Link placing flowers in a vase for each deceased member of our society. Al Gagnon led the ancestor roll call.
J. Dennis Robinson was the guest speaker. His topic pertained to the importance of the Isle of Shoals, located 9 miles east of Maine/New Hampshire border, to the early settlement of the Northeast as well as to our pilgrim forefathers.
Former Governor Lynde Randall, Governor Carla Rigby, Former Governor Gini Link, Former Governor Horace Moody
Spring Meeting, May 2017
What a lovely afternoon at the Lucerne today, with a very dynamic speaker and being able to meet the fantastic students who won the 2017 Maine Mayflower Society scholarships! There was a nice turnout for such a stormy day and it was great to catch up with all the members after a long winter. A real bonus was having WABI TV there to interview our speaker, Margaret Cleveland. Thanks everyone for coming and I hope you enjoyed the hospitality of our wonderful Governor, Dr. Carla Rigby!
(Source:the Maine Mayflower Society Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MaineMayflowerSociety).
Governor Rigby with scholarship recipients
Annual Meeting, November 19, 2016
The Annual meeting was held at the Hilton Riverwatch Hotel Ballroom at 14 Great falls Plaza in Auburn, ME.
We had such a blessed and wonderful time together yesterday at our Annual Meeting and Luncheon in Auburn! Governor Carla Rigby let us know about current affairs concerning the General Society, including exciting news about the Mayflower II being restored, the addition of the original First Parish Church of Plymouth to the properties owned by the Society, and the huge events that will be happening in 2020. We have such lovely members and there was a huge turnout on a beautiful, sunny November Day. On top of that, we had a fabulous speaker, Malka Benjamin, who is an interpreter/educator at Plimoth Plantation. (Excerpted from the Maine Mayflower Society Facebook page, thanks to Pat Claus!)
Summer Meeting August 6, 2016
The Maine Mayflower Society held its 2016 Summer Membership Meeting on August 6 at the Senator Inn and Spa in Augusta. Historian Ellen Newton announced that we have 10 new annual members and 2 new supplemental members. Junior Membership Chair Carol Gagnon announced that we have gained 17 new State Juniors. The Ancestor Roll Call was won by the descendants of John Alden, with 12 present, followed closely by the descendants of William Brewster, John Howland, and Priscilla Mullins with 11 each.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:20 and members were then invited to meet at Old Fort Western for a program provided by the museum staff.
Spring Meeting May 7, 2016
Governor Rigby Greets members
(Click to Enlarge)
The Spring Meeting of the Maine Mayflower Society was held on May 7, 2016 at the Lucerne Inn in Dedham, Maine. After opening remarks from Governor Carla Rigby, Historian Ellen Newton Stevens welcomed nine new members of the Maine Mayflower Society, many of whom were able to join us at our meeting. Amelia Addicott of San Francisco was announced as the winner of the 2016 Essay Contest, which is awarded to a student from Grades Five through Seven. Thomas M. Spencer of Yarmouth, Maine was awarded the Captain Chester I. Hopkins, III, Scholarship Award. Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of Maine Scholarship winners were: Wyatt Kilburn of Cumberland,ME; Gareth Laffely, of Gallatin, TN; Rebecca Link, of Kents Hill, ME; and Elizabeth Spiller of York, ME. More than $5,000.00 was awarded to these essay winners!
Guest speaker Jerry Wiles enjoys focusing on the people behind history's timeline by creating narratives which make the personal stories of those who shaped important events come alive. Jerry shared with us an informative lecture about the lives of John and Abigail Adams and the importance of America having a strong educational system.
Annual Membership Meeting November 21, 2015
The Annual Membership Meeting of the Maine Mayflower Society was held on November 21 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Auburn. Governor Rigby recognized Patricia Claus for her work on our new Facebook page. Chet Hopkins talked about our Scholarships, and Anne moody Tewhey discussed our Essay Contest. In the Ancestor Roll Call, William Brewster had 17 descendants present, followed closely by Stephen Hopkins with 16 descendants present.
Our scheduled guest speaker was unable to make our meeting and our Counselor Gary Libby ably stepped up and spoke about the Chinese immigration experience. Thanks to Gary for sharing with us stories of early Maine Chinese immigrants and their Maine stories.
Summer Meeting August 1, 2015
The Maine Mayflower Society held its summer meeting at the Spruce Point Inn at Boothbay Harbor on August 1, 2015. Governor Carla Rigby opened the meeting, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, the Mayflower Pledge, and the singing of God Bless America. Chaplin Lynn Josselyn gave the Invocation and led us in a ceremony of Remembrance.
Governor General Filson with our Board of Assistants
Former Governor Lynde Randall, Governor General Lea Filson, Governor Carla Rigby, Former Governor Gini Link, Former Governor Horace Moody
After lunch, we welcomed Governor General Lea Filson as our guest speaker. She spoke about educational initiatives to assure that the Pilgrim story is shared with students in our schools. She also told us about changes and improvements that are being undertaken to improve and better utilize the Mayflower House in Plymouth. Governor General Filson also asked us for continuing support in forwarding the mission of the Mayflower Society, including the formation of the 1620 Fund. Visit the GSMD website at www.themayflowersociety.org to sign up for communications from Plymouth to stay abreast of the latest developments.
Spring Membership Meeting May 2, 2015
The Maine Mayflower Society held its Spring Membership Meeting on May 2, 2015 at the Black Bear Inn in Orono. Governor Carla Rigby called the meeting to order at 12 noon.
Our guest speaker Shane Roberts of Atlanta is a graduate of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, Yale, and the University of Hartford and Connecticut. A Mayflower member with Howland and Tilley lines, he also belongs to the Society of Old Plymouth Colony Descendants, the Descendants of the Colonial Clergy, and the Sons of the American Revolution, and is an eleventh generation patrilineal descendant of Thomas Roberts, a member of the Fishmongers Guild of London and among the first settlers and leaders of Dover, New Hampshire. Unlike many speakers on Pilgrim history who discuss Pilgrim history after the Separatist movement was established, Shane devoted his talk to events in English political and church history which led to the creation of the Separatist movement and to our Pilgrim ancestors' desire to build a New Jerusalem and to create a purer church than what England could provide.
Governor Rigby announced that our August meeting will be held at the Spruce Point Inn in Boothbay Harbor and that Governor General Lea Filson will be our guest speaker.
Annual business meeting and luncheon November 15, 2014
Our annual meeting was held in November at the Maine Table/Merry Manor in South Portland. Our guest speaker, pictured below, was Dave Gowen, a member of the 3rd Maine Regiment.
Summer Meeting August 2, 2014
On August 02, 2014, on a sunny Saturday afternoon, about forty members of the Maine Mayflower Society gathered at Point Sebago Resort for a delicious Italian buffet and luscious blueberry cake for dessert. Before lunch, the reservations’ table was humming while Carolyn checked in members for lunch, and the sales table was busy with purchases being made. Elder Cole led us in prayer after Governor Link introduced some distinguished governors from other New England states-Watson Taylor, RI, John and Carolyn Payzant, NH, and Mary Brown and granddaughter, CT.
Roll call was taken with WARREN having the largest amount of family present. HOPKINS and HOWLAND tied for second place.
After lunch, the roll call, and the benediction members enjoyed a delightful cruise in a party boat around Sebago Lake.
Maine Society hosts New England governors meeting, August 1, 2014
The New England Mayflower governors met for an enjoyable lunch at the Saltwater Grill in South Portland on August 1, 2014. Four of the governors were able to join us at the annual luncheon at Point Sebago the following day.
Spring Membership Meeting, May 3, 2014
The Maine Mayflower Society held its Spring 2014 Membership Meeting on May 3 at the Black Bear Inn in Orono, with 65 members and guests in attendance.
Governor Link introduced our speaker Steve Pinkham, who collects stories of the Maine woods and currently has a collection of 25,000+. He is the author of “Mountains of Maine”, “Old Tales of the Maine Woods”, and “More Old Tales of the Maine Woods”. An accomplished storyteller, Steve entertained us with several tales from his collection.
Our Essay Contest winner was James Noyes, a 6th grader at Friendship School. Deputy Governor Dr. Carla Rigby read his essay, a first person account of John Howland’s voyage to the New World. James received a certificate and a cash award of $75.00. Scholarship Chair Chet Hopkins also announced the three 2014 winners of our $1,000 Scholarships.
The Ancestor Roll Call was won by the descendants of Stephen Hopkins, with 14 present.
Governor Link presents essay winner James Noyes with his certificate
Scholarship Chair Chet Hopkins announced three winners of $1,000.00 scholarships
Sales table chair Joanne Mitchell greeting members
Annual Business Meeting and Luncheon, November 16, 2013
The Maine Mayflower Society 2013 Annual Membership Meeting was held on November 16, 2013 at Season's Grill in Portland. Carol Gagnon was presented with the Governor General's award for her work with Maine Junior members. After lunch, we enjoyed a program from Plimouth Plantation. Elizabeth Tilley interpreter Vicki Oman told us about the social life and customs of the Pilgrim Colony and answered questions from the audience. Rev. Robert Cole, Jr., assisited by his wife Dianna, conducted a Memorable Service for those Society members who had passed away since last August. Anne Vadakin told us about the 2020 Committee and encouraged anyone interested to be involved with planning for the 400th anniversary of the Pilgrim Colony in Plymouth.
" Elizabeth Tilley" discusses life at the Pilgrim Colony during our Annual Meeting
Summer Meeting for Members and Guests, August 3, 2013
Our summer meeting was held at the Spruce Point Inn in Boothbay Harbor. Our guest speaker was the Governor General of the Mayflower Society, Bruce MacGunnigle.
Maine Governor Gini Link and Governor General MacGunnigle
The New England Governors and Deputy Governors attended a meeting and luncheon in Mystic, CT at Latitudes 41 Restaurant on July 20, 2013.
(L to R alternating back to front) Dick Gilmore, Gov-MA, Allison Morrison, Gov-RI, spouse and Randy Roberts, Dep Gov-VT, Mary Brown, Gov-CT, Greg Thompson, Dep Gov-CT, Marjorie Hurtuk, Historian-CT, Gini Link, Gov-ME, Steve Link, Captain-ME, spouse of Marjorie Hurtuk, Don Studley, DGG-CT and spouse.
The 2013 Spring Membership Meeting of the Maine Mayflower Society was held on May 4 at the Elks’ Lodge in Augusta.
Governor Virginia Link called the meeting to order at 12 noon. Captain Steve Link led members and guests in the Pledge of Allegiance, the Salute to the Mayflower Flag, and the first verse of “God Bless America”. He then read the Objects and Purpose of the Maine Society. Governor Link introduced the State Officers, former Governor Lynde Randall, and the four new members who were attending their first luncheon meeting.
Rev. Robert Cole, Jr. gave the invocation.
After a delicious lunch, Governor Link introduced our speaker, Dr. Carol P. McCoy, president of Find-Your-Roots and McCoy Consulting. She spoke on “Tax Records in Genealogy – How Taxes Can Be a Good Thing”. Tax records can be a help when other documentation is not available. They can substitute for early or lost Census records, help separate men of the same names in the same county, provide clues to ages, family relationships, and death dates, and furnish details of men’s lives relating to land and property owned. Dr. McCoy explained what the different types of taxes were and where tax records can be found.
Following our speaker, Janet Stanhope introduced our 2013 Essay Contest winner and Scholarship Chair Chet Hopkins announced our 2013 Scholarship winners.
Our next Membership Meeting will be held on August 3 in Boothbay Harbor.
Annual Meeting for Members and Guests November 17, 2012
The annual business meeting and fall luncheon was held at the Howard Johnson Plaza & Conference Center in Portland. Guest speakers Rebecca Gowdy and Sue Wall presented a Civil War program: The Home Life During the Civil War, excerpts captured from the family letters of Frederick Miller.
Annual Meeting August 4, 2012
The Society of Mayflower Descendants in Maine met at Point Sebago Resort in the beach pavilion for their summer buffet luncheon. The luncheon was followed that was followed by a delightful cruise in the party boat around Sebago Lake.
Open Meeting Saturday, May 5, 2012
The meeting was held at the Hilton Garden Inn Auburn Riverwatch, 14 Great Falls Plaza, Auburn, Maine 04210.
Lane Mabbett, the State Historian, conducted a workshop on the Membership and Application process for any applicants or aspiring applicants. This workshop was open to members and non-members, so all were welcome. Lane described the application process, the requirements for evidence, how to find documentation, the steps in going through the approval process, and what resources are available to us. As time allowed, he also answered questions about issues encountered in individual applications.
Our speaker was author Don Perkins, who spoke about Maine barns. His book “The Barns of Maine: Our History, Our Stories” is the culmination of many years probing the engineering masterwork and people behind historic barns.
Open Meeting May 7, 2011
The meeting was held at the Hilton Garden Inn Auburn Riverwatch, 14 Great Falls Plaza, Auburn, Maine 04210.
Prior to the meeting, there was a training session conducted by our Historian, Lane Mabbett, for those interested in learning the requirements for becoming a member.
The guest speaker was Jeremy D'Entremont who has written a book on New England Lighthouses, has spoken at the Maine Historical Society, and knows New England lighthouses like nobody else. He is a writer, photographer, and lighthouse historian. It was an exciting presentation on lighthouses that combined historic and new photos, film clips, and audio clips. Jeremy has edited and annotated seven new editions of historian Edward Rowe Snow books.
Open Meeting May 1, 2010
The meeting was held at Captain's Galley Inc., 168 Saco Avenue, Old Orchard Beach. This was an open meeting and prospective members were invited.
Prior to the meeting, there was a training session conducted by our Historian, Lane Mabbett, for those interested in learning the requirements for becoming a member.
Mr. Gilbert "Gil" Doughty was the guest speaker. He is a New England and Portland, Maine Historian. His research includes a diverse array of subjects, including Portland's historic architecture,
Maine's Northern Woods, Victoria Mansion, and Portland monuments. As Manager of Education Programs for Greater Portland Landmarks, Gil managed the 1807 Portland Observatory Museum, a
National Historic Landmark. He is presently researching material for Mainer's in the Gold Rush, historic experiences of New England's own
"miner 49ers".
Open Meeting May 2008
Our May meeting was held at the Captain Stone Inn in Brunswick on Saturday, May 3, 2008. This was an open meeting and prospective members were invited.
There was a training session conducted by our Historian, Syrena Gatewood for those interested in learning the requirements for becoming a member.
Our speaker was Thomas A. Desjardin, Historian for the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands and author of Through a Howling Wilderness: Benedict Arnold's March to Quebec, 1775. Mr. Desjardin discussed the significance of this campaign to the Revolutionary War and what life in present day Maine was like in 1775.
Open Meeting May 2007
Our May meeting was held at the Senator in Augusta on Saturday, May 5, 2007. This was an open meeting and prospective members were invited.
There was a training session conducted by our Historian, Syrena Gatewood for those interested in learning the requirements for becoming a member.
Our speaker was Roxanne Moore Saucier. Roxanne Moore Saucier is a lifelong resident of Maine and a graduate of the University of Maine. She has worked for the Bangor Daily News for 20 years and has received awards from the Maine Genealogical Society, Maine Library Association, the Maine Council of Churches, Eastern Agency on Aging and the March of Dimes. Currently she is editor of The Weekly,
and she writes the Family Ties genealogy column in Monday's Bangor Daily NEWS. She has been working on her family tree for 30 years and is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Mayflower Society, the latter as a descendant of Francis Cooke. Her other Mayflower passengers include Isaac and Mary Allerton and their 4-year-old daughter Mary.
Open Meeting May 2006
Our first meeting of the new year was held at the Taste of Maine Restaurant, Rt 1, Woolwich, Maine on Saturday, May 6, 2006. This was an open meeting and prospective members were invited.
There was a training session conducted by our Historian, Syrena Gatewood for those interested in learning the requirements for becoming a member.
Our speaker was Jeffrey Brown from the Maine State Archives. Jeff has been working at the Maine State Archives since 1980 and has a life-long interest in history and genealogy. He described the many resources available at the Maine State Archives and related examples of the types of genealogical and historical information that may be discovered.
Prospective members are welcome to learn more about us by attending an open meeting.