Attend a 2020 Education Event with American Ancestors
Broaden your understanding of the Mayflower story, hear the tales of tragedy and triumphs of the Pilgrims and Wampanoag, and explore your family’s connections to this history by attending an education event with American Ancestors and New England Historic Genealogical Society. Join us at our research center in Boston, online through our learning center, or across the country at one of our events commemorating the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower landing.
Interested in other education programs? View our full list
Online Events
Nathaniel Philbrick, Boston Public Library Baxter Lecture on Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community and War
Thursday, November 12, 6:00 - 7:00 PM EST
FREE
The story of the Mayflower is the quintessential American story—one that resonates across four centuries with themes of democracy, religious freedom, and cultural heritage. While not the first group of European settlers to arrive on the shores of America, the Mayflower landing has become synonymous with the founding of America. But who were these Pilgrims, what motivated their departure from England, and why has their story been so ensconced in our nation's history? This exhibit seeks to explore the origins of the Mayflower migration and its lasting legacy, as expressed through anniversary commemorations, American mythos, and modern-day descendants. Items in this exhibition are drawn from the R. Stanton Avery Special Collections and the Fine Art Collection at New England Historic Genealogical Society. This exhibition has been generously supported by Anne Louise C. Van Nostrand, Brenda Williams, and Elizabeth H. Owens. Braille version of the exhibit made possible by the Flora Nichols Beggs Trust.
Exhibits
The Origins and Legacy of the Mayflower
American Ancestors Research Center, 99-101 Newbury Street, Boston
Free and open to the public during regular library hours
The story of the Mayflower is the quintessential American story—one that resonates across four centuries with themes of democracy, religious freedom, and cultural heritage. While not the first group of European settlers to arrive on the shores of America, the Mayflower landing has become synonymous with the founding of America. But who were these Pilgrims, what motivated their departure from England, and why has their story been so ensconced in our nation's history? This exhibit seeks to explore the origins of the Mayflower migration and its lasting legacy, as expressed through anniversary commemorations, American mythos, and modern-day descendants. Items in this exhibition are drawn from the R. Stanton Avery Special Collections and the Fine Art Collection at New England Historic Genealogical Society. This exhibition has been generously supported by Anne Louise C. Van Nostrand, Brenda Williams, and Elizabeth H. Owens. Braille version of the exhibit made possible by the Flora Nichols Beggs Trust.
The History of Wampum Belts
American Ancestors Research Center, 99-101 Newbury Street, Boston
Free and open to the public during regular library hours
Also viewable online!
From precolonial to contemporary times, wampum belts have been an integral part of the living, indigenous traditions that continue to be used for ceremonial purposes, adornment, and to record or reflect specific events and agreements. This exhibit explores the history, usage, and meaning behind wampum belts and their place in Wampanoag culture. Produced by SmokeSygnals, a Native American owned marketing and communications company.
The Wampanoag Scene: Creating Tribal Legacy
American Ancestors Research Center, 99-101 Newbury Street, Boston
Outside (weather permitting) during regular library hours
In the exhibit you see a young Patuxet mother looking over a wampum belt while her child sleeps by her side. The beads in the belt are organized in a way to remind them of their ancestors— a great grandfather known for his fishing, a grandmother sachem, a messenger runner father, a mother that tended the crops, their many uncles and aunts and a husband that was taken as a slave in 1614. The young woman thinks of how she will record their place in the village. Produced by SmokeSygnals, a Native American owned marketing and communications company.
