Witches to Riches:  A Mayflower Journey into the Gilded Age
Saturday, September 5 - Thursday, September 10, 2026

The Witches to Riches: A Mayflower Journey into the Gilded Age tour is a curated, six-day heritage expedition designed exclusively for Mayflower descendants. Traveling by private motorcoach, participants will trace their lineage from the humble 1620 arrival in Plymouth to the vast wealth of the Gilded Age. The journey begins in Boston, exploring the patriotic legacy of early descendant leaders, before heading to Salem to confront the dark history of the 1692 witch trials—where family members like Captain John Alden Jr. were famously accused. The itinerary then returns to the heart of Plymouth to visit original ancestral homesteads, including the Jabez Howland House and the Alden House, alongside a visit to the Mayflower II. The "Riches" portion of the tour culminates in Newport and Fall River, examining the elite social standing of descendants like Lizzie Borden and the "Old Money" families of the Newport mansions. After a final exploration of the Pilgrim Hall Museum, the tour offers a seamless transition for those attending the Mayflower General Congress 2026. With included breakfasts and historical dinners each day, this tour provides a profound connection to the "Saints," "Witches," and industrial titans that define the Mayflower legacy. 
 

Learn More and Register Here

Newbury Street Experience: Scholarship, Beauty & Mayflower Legacy 
Thursday, September 10th

• Exclusive visit to New England Historic Genealogical Society/American Ancestors, including VIP tours of the Family Heritage Experience and Brim DeForest Library. 
• Lunch on your own along Newbury Street, Boston's premier dining and shopping destination in the historic Back Bay.
• Explore the renowned Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum's art exhibits and gardens.
• Private dinner at The Mayflower Society House, hosted by Governor General Lisa Pennington.

This Newbury Street Experience is a thoughtfully curated day blending scholarship, culture, and fellowship that offers a rare opportunity to engage with our shared history in settings that are both intellectually rich and quietly elegant. 

Participation includes transportation, guided experiences, and a private dinner, and is available to Mayflower Society members and friends for a $1,000 philanthropic donation in support of the National Pilgrim Memorial Meetinghouse renovation, helping preserve this enduring symbol of our shared Pilgrim heritage for generations to come.

The Newbury Street Experience is a limited capacity event. Please call Executive Director Cheryl Soares at 508-746-3188 to reserve your place