South Shore Chamber Of Commerce: Pilgrim Hall Museum Celebrates 197th Birthday!

Press release from the South Shore Chamber of Commerce:

8/27/2021

PILGRIM HALL MUSEUM CELEBRATES 197TH BIRTHDAY WITH FREE ADMISSION ALL DAY TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2021 Sponsored by Newfield House

Pilgrim Hall Museum, America's oldest continuously operating public museum and the pre-eminent museum of Pilgrim possessions, celebrates its 197th birthday on Wednesday, September 1, 2021 with free admission for visitors throughout the day from 10 am to last admission at 4 pm, courtesy of sponsor Newfield House. Free vanilla, chocolate, and carrot cake birthday mini-cupcakes, prepared by Plymouth’s Guilty Bakery, will be served on the lawn of the historic Museum between 11:30 am and 1 pm, as supplies last. Re-enactors in 17th-century costume from the New Plimmoth Gard militia group will join the party 11:30 to 12:30 to fire celebratory volleys.

Visitors will be able to see a rare object on display for the first time: the 1631 edition of Lucan’s ancient poem Pharsalia that belonged to William Bradford and was signed by him on flyleaf. Bradford was likely serving as Governor of Plymouth Colony when he acquired the book. The epic recounts the fall of the Roman Republic and reflects on the destructiveness of civil conflict. It may have had special meaning for Bradford, facing his own challenges in keeping Plymouth Colony together. This special loan will be on display through the end of the 2021 season.

Built in 1824 by the Pilgrim Society, Pilgrim Hall is America’s oldest continuously operating public museum. The Society was incorporated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1820, on the 200th anniversary of the founding of Plymouth Colony with the purpose of erecting “a durable monument” to preserve the artifacts and documents of Pilgrim and Plymouth history. Located in the town’s historic center, Pilgrim Hall has adhered to its mission for 197 years.

PILGRIM SOCIETY & PILGRIM HALL MUSEUM 75 Court Street, Plymouth, MA 02360 508-746-1620; www.pilgrimhallmuseum.org

This press release was produced by the South Shore Chamber of Commerce. The views expressed here are the author’s own.